Wounds

Type of injury in which skin is torn, cut or punctured

A disruption of continuity of cells

Single or multiple cell types Disruption or loss of organ function Hemorrhage Risk of infection Cell death

Wounds caused by the application of physical force can be divided into two main groups: blunt force trauma and sharp force trauma. A third group of wounds is caused by the application of other forces that do not require movement or motion to produce their effects Blunt force trauma is caused when an object, usually without a sharp or cutting edge, impacts the body or the body impacts the object. Three types of injury may result from such an impact: abrasions, contusions and lacerations. Sharp force trauma occurs when an object with a sharp or sharpened edge impacts the body. The type of injury caused in this case depends upon the depth of the wound: an incised wound is longer than it is deep, whereas a stab wound is deeper than it is long. Non-motion trauma is the third type of wounding. This type of wounding occurs when tissues, usually the epidermis or the mucosal surfaces, are damaged by direct application of a non-physical force, which can be thermal,

chemical, electrical or electromagnetic.

CLASSIFICATION OF INJURIES
.A.DEPENDING UPON CAUSATIVE FACTOR
.I. Mechanical or Physical injuries .a) Caused by blunt force)
Abrasion Lacerations (Contusions ( Bruises

.b) Caused by sharp force)

Incisions Punctures incised punctures or lacerated .punctures

.c) Caused by Fire Arms)

Rifled Firearms .Smooth Bore Firearms country made Firearms

.II. Thermal injuries a)Due to heat)

.Generalized effects of heat. i.e
(Heat Hyperpyrexia. ( heat stroke (Heat Exhaustion ( Heat collapse (Heat Cramps ( Miners cramps

.Localized effects of heat. i.e

(Burns ( Due to application of dry heat

(Scalds ( Due to application of moist heat

b)Due to Cold)

.Generalized effects of cold i.e

Hypothermia

.Localized effects of cold. i.e

(Frost Bite (due to dry cold (Trench Foot ( Due to wet cold

.III. CAUSED BY CHEMICAL AGENTS

(Corrosions ( Due to strong Acids or Alkalies Irritation ( Due to weak acids, alkalies, vegetables or (animal extracts

IV. MISCELLANEOUS
Lighting Electricity (Radiation ( X-ray, U-V rays, radioactive Blast Injuries

B. DEPENDING UPON GRAVITY

Simple Grievous Dangerous

C. DEPENDING UPON TIME OF INFLECTION

Antemortem Postmortem Perimortem

D. DEPENDING UPON THE MANNER OF INFLICTION

Suicidal Accidental Homicidal Defense Wounds Fabricated / Fictitious Injuries

ABRASIONS
An abrasion is a superficial injury, commonly known as a 'graze' or 'scratch'. This type of wound damages only the epidermis (uppermost skin layer), and should not therefore bleed. However, abrasions do usually extend into the dermis causing slight bleeding.

Abrasions are usually caused by tangential glancing impacts but they can also be caused by crushing of the skin when the force is applied vertically down onto the skin. Bite marks and the grooved and often parchmented abrasion found in hanging are typical of crush abrasions. The size, shape and type of abrasion depend upon the nature of the surface of the object which contacts the skin, its shape and the angle at which contact is made. Contact with the squared corner of an object (e.g. a brick) may well result in a linear abrasion, whereas contact with a side of the same object will cause a larger area of abrasion. Contact with a large rough surface, such as a road, especially when associated with the higher levels of force found in traffic accidents, will result in much broader areas of abrasion, sometimes called brush abrasions or gravel rash. Tangential contact with a smooth surface may well result in such fine, closely associated linear abrasions that the skin may simply appear reddened and roughened. This may be termed a friction burn; close inspection will reveal the true nature of the wound. The direction of the causative force can be identified by inspecting the wound with a hand lens if necessary and identifying the torn fragments of the epidermis which are pushed towards the furthest (distal) end of the abrasion. Crush abrasions are important because they retain the pattern of the causative object. Many different objects have been identified in this way: car radiator grills, the tread of escalator steps, plaited whips and the lines from floor tiles.

Medico legal importance of Abrasion

The most informative of all injuries. Always reflects site of impact. Often indicate causative object. Often indicate direction of impact. Assessment of age of abrasion is difficult. Post mortem drying of abraded surface leathery parchmented appearance. A detailed note on the findings in relation to abrasions .1 mentioned in the report should be prepared and then tallied with the findings corresponding to the weapon as alleged. If there is .any difference , then it is worthwhile to argue on the issue Generally the weapon which produces the abrasions are hard .2 substances like rope of moonj or whip . In case the victim is tied with rope then it is logical to expect a mark produced by rope and accompanying abrasions. The dimensions of abrasions are of value and should be tallied with the dimensions of the rope alleged to have been used in assault. Similarly the whip producing the abrasions on the effected part should be examined and the dimensions should be tallied with the marks produced on the body. If any difference is found, then the distinguishing points may be

.argued In case of accident with a vehicle in which a head on collision .3 has occurred with the front of the car or vehicle, the pattern of radiator is visible on the victim as there is great force in the vehicle but at times, the presence of clothes on the person minimizes the effects and the pattern may not be visible clearly or may be visible partially. In such cases there will also be other injuries and the mud will be present. In cases of accident, the abrasions are multiple in number and are accompanied by other injuries like contusions and lacerations. The abrasions are present on the bony parts of the body as the bony parts come in contact with the ground upon a fall and are subject to friction against the hard ground. If the direction of the abrasions can be worked out with the ,help of the findings available and they are of value .then this should be argued out Sometimes the place of accident can be worked out by the total description available as the presence of wet mud will indicate a place having that type of mud In cases of teeth bite The impression is taken from the site .4 where it is found and then tallied with the tooth pattern of the accused. If it tallies, then the allegation is proved but if it does not, this can be argued out. It is to be kept in mind that dried saliva is found at the site besides the marks and this is always a good piece of scientific evidence. This should be got analyzed (for blood groups) if not done, and then tallied with the analyzed saliva of the accused. If there is any difference , then the innocence of the suspect can be argued, as it will be seen that the similar tooth (pattern is of someone else (Blood groups are specific for a person The abrasions produced by finger nails are commonly found in .5 cases of throttling or sexual assaults. The characters of the marks should be tallied and if there is any difference in the marks present and that of the accused, it is of value. The presence of finger marks on the thighs and breasts are common in sexual assaults.

The dimensions and the shape of the marks, if noted carefully can provide a good clue and can also be used in defense, if the marks are found dissimilar in size and shape from those which can be .(produced by the nails of the accused (On examination

Refrences
Simpson's Forensic medicine Textbook of forensic and toxicology www.wikipedia.com

By / Karim Magdy Mohamed

No / 747