ABMDI Exam Definitions Ch. 7

Tardieu spots

in advanced stages of livor, the skin capillaries often rupture and cause pinpoint hemorrhages known as ___. In dependent areas and seen in the lower extremities of hanging victims.

Algor mortis

cooling of a decedent’s body.

Signs of death

lack of pulse and respiration, absence of a heartbeat, lack of corneal reflex (blinking) and pupillary constriction, coolness of the body, and rigor and livor mortis.

Traumatic injuries

can be differentiated by the type of trauma, the instrument, and the direction and velocity of force. types: blunt-force trauma, sharp-force injury, or thermal injuries.

Contusion

commonly known as a bruise, results from crushing the tissue and tearing small blood vessels, which releases blood into the surrounding tissues. will appear purple in recent injuries, changing to yellow-red in 2 to 3 days and yellow-green in 5 to 7 days.

Abrasion

scraping of the superficial layer of the skin by friction created by blunt-force trauma. may be linear (commonly known as a scratch) or broad and confluent like the “road rash” seen on victims of motor-vehicle collisions. may have a “pattern” that helps the investigator identify the instrument that caused the wound.

Laceration

tearing of the skin and soft tissue caused by blunt-force trauma. characterized by the presence of abraded skin surrounding the edge of the tear, bridging blood vessels and nerves across the wound. has irregular edges.

Incisions

clean cuts caused by sharp-force injuries (knife, razor blade, or scissors). nerves and blood vessels are sharply cut.

Defensive wounds

cutting wounds sustained over the back portion of the forearms, arms, and hands, or cutting injuries to the palm, as if the victim grasped a knife blade.

Hesitation marks

cutting wounds to the wrist area may indicate a suicide attempt and are referred to as ____.

Hilt mark

the presence of an abrasion near a stab wound that is typically caused by the handle portion of the knife and indicates the knife was forcefully thrust in its entire length.

Raccoon Eyes

fracturing of the internal front of the skull may result in hemorrhage or ecchymosis surrounding the eyes.

first degree burn

superficial, similar to a sunburn

second degree burn

damage to the upper layers of the skin, identified as blisters, which may result in scarring

third degree burn

deep and through the entire skin, requiring skin grafting

fourth degree burn

demonstrated by severe charring of the tissues

Asphyxia

lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the tissues of the body. may result from insufficient blood or oxygenated air being delivered to the tissues.

Strangulation

compression of the neck, obstructing the flow of air or blood. can be caused by an object encircling the neck or direct pressure.

Petechial hemorrhage

strangulation may result in a small pinpoint hemorrhage within the conjunctiva of the eyes, known as a ___.

Aspiration

the inhalation of some foreign object, causing occlusion or obstruction of the airway.M

Mechanical asphyxia

the inability of the chest to function, inhibiting normal resuscitation. ex.) heavy object compressing the victim’s chest

Positional asphyxia

placed in a position that occludes the mouth or airway. I.e. when a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Typical injuries of an abused child

bruises and lacerations, bitemarks, burns, dehydration/starvation, recent and healing fractures, lacerations of the frenulum, head trauma, evidence of sexual abuse

shaken-baby syndrome

a type of child abuse in which the child is violently shaken and frequently struck on the head. injuries include retinal hemorrhages, fractured ribs, subdural hematoma, and brain swelling.

Medical trauma

evidence of this includes intravenous and intraarterial catheter placement and perforation; contusion to the inner biceps, chest, and nipple resulting from neurological examinations; spinal tap perforation; pericardial needle punctures; artifacts from MAST-type shock trousers; and abrasions left by tape, especially over the facial area.

Resuscitative trauma

consists of defibrillator burns to the chest, abraded skin left by cardiac electrodes, contusions to the mid-sternum, intravenous perforations, and cutdowns.

Surgical trauma

wounds that may mimic traumatic injuries include rib fractures, chest tube placement, thoracotomy incisions, vascular cutdowns, and perforations from towel clamps used during surgery.