MEDICO LEGAL ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL WOUNDS

Classification of wounds:
As to severity:
Mortal- Capable of causing death
Non-mortal- not capable of causing death
As to weapon/instrument used:
Blunt Instrument: Contusion, Hematoma, Lacerated wound
Sharp Instrument:
Incised wound- sharp edge instrument
Punctured wounds sharp pointed instrument
Stab wound- Sharp edge/ Sharp pointed instrument
Tearing Force: Lacerated wound
Change in Atmospheric pressure: Barotrauma
Manner of Infliction:
Hit: Bolo, Blunt Instrument, Axe
Thrust/Stab: Dagger
Gunpowder Explosion: Projectile/ Shrapnel wound
Abrasion
Special Types of Wounds
Defense wound: result of instinct of self-protection
Patterned wound: with nature and shape of object/instrument
Self-inflicted wound: produce on one self

Ante-Mortem
Haemorrhage

Post-Mortem
Haemorrhage

Arterial
-Blood clotted and the clot is
~laminated
~firmly adherent to
the lining of endothelium
~firm, rubbery and
variegated
-Copious amount
-Deep staining of edges
which can't be
washed away

-Venous
-Blood usually not clotted
and if clots it is
~Non laminated
~Weakly adherent to the
lining of endothelium
~Soft,friable chicken
fat(yellow) or current
jelly(red) appearance
~Homogenous
-Slight amount
-Staining is superficial
and can be washed away

Wound Edges
Gaping, everted, swollen

Wound Edges
Apposed, not swollen

Vital Reaction
Signs of inflammation,
infection(pus,slough)
and healing (granulation tissue)
present
Microscopy
-Clot has platelets
-Leucocyte and
RBC infiltration in
between muscle fibers

Not Present

Microscopy
-Clot lacks platelets
-No infiltration

Following are a few ways to tell if wound is homicidal/murder or suicidal:

Firearms as Instrument:
Where on the body the injury occurred: A shot to the side of the head, in the
mouth, or to the front of the chest is usually suicide. Wounds located anywhere
else are most likely homicide.
Distance of gun from the body: Most suicide shots are at contact or near
contact range, causing a burn mark around the wound and leaving gunpowder
residue (which can be wiped off). At contact range, and if the gun is fired just
above a bone, such as the skull or the sternum, a star-like wound is produced.
Anything further away is likely homicide.
Angle of the shot: Most suicide shots are angled slightly upward.
Number of shots fired: After one shot, even if a suicide victim isn't dead, he
would likely be unconscious or physically unable to fire a second time. Multiple
shots usually indicate homicide.
Presence of gunpowder residue on victims hand: If a man shot himself,
there would be powder residue from unburned carbon on the hand that fired
the gun.
Shots through clothing: A suicide victim will rarely shoot through clothing. If
he shoots himself in the chest, which is unusual, he will open his shirt to
expose the skin. Shots through clothing suggest homicide.
History, a note, other factors: If the victim left a suicide note, or was known
to have personal problems, or if there was evidence of drug use or drinking,
suicide is likely.
Evidence of a struggle: If there are scratches, cuts, bruises, homicide is likely.
Knife as instrument
Defensive cuts: In a homicide, there will be defensive cuts on the palms of the
victim's hands and on the underside of her arms as she tries to fight off her
attacker.

Number of wounds and their location: A murder usually involves multiple

stab wounds to the side, back or stomach. In a suicide, while there may be
additional cuts across the wrist and tentative test stabbings to see if it will
hurt, or to work up courage, there will usually only be one wound and most
likely in the chest.
Location of the murder weapon: In a suicide, the weapon will be at the scene
with the victim's fingerprints on it. In a homicide, the weapon is often missing.
Presence of a note: A suicide victim will almost always leave a note.
Stabbing through clothing: A suicide victim will rarely stab herself through
her clothing, instead she will open her shirt to expose the skin. Stabbing
through clothing, even if there's only one wound, may indicate homicide.