Forensic Aspects of Trauma

Question 1

Will damage to tissue be greater if a narrow edge or wide edge is used?

Answer 1

Narrow- greater force over small area

Question 2

Traction?

Answer 2

Stretching of body or skin

Question 3

Torsion?

Answer 3

Twisting motion

Question 4

Tangential force?

Answer 4

Shearing of skin from underlying tissue

Question 5

Blunt force injuries?

Answer 5

Caused by impact by blunt object e.g. ground, fist, foot, weapon

Question 6

What injuries can be seen in blunt force injuries?

Answer 6

Contusion’s- bruising
Abrasions- grazes or scratches to skin surface
Lacerations- cut or tear of skin
Incise wound- usually more knife injury but commonly mixed with lacerations

Question 7

Tramline bruises?

Answer 7

Two parallel lines of bruising, typical of broom handle or rod shaped weapon

Question 8

Finger tip bruising?

Answer 8

Small round bruises, typical if someone was grabbing the neck or leg etc. comes from gripping injury

Question 9

How does amount of subcutaneous fat affect burising?

Answer 9

More subcutaneous fat= bruise more easily

Question 10

Which two age groups can bruise more easily?

Answer 10

Children- skin is looser
Elderly- blood vessels of skin are poorly supplied

Question 11

What are some more resilient areas which do not bruise as easily?

Answer 11

Buttocks
Abdomen

Question 12

List some coagulative disorders which can cause bruising more easily.

Answer 12

Thrombocytopenia
Von Willebrand’s disease
Haemophilia
Liver disease- alcoholics
Bone marrow disease

Question 13

What may cause linear parallel scratch like abrasions?

Answer 13

Serrated blade

Question 14

Circular mark/abrasion with bruising may be what?

Answer 14

Bite mark

Question 15

Incised wounds?

Answer 15

Superficial sharp force injury caused by slashing motion
Longer on the skin surface than it is deep

Question 16

Stab wounds?

Answer 16

Penetrating injury resulting from thrusting motion
Wound depth greater than length on surface

Question 17

Lightning bolt penetrating wound caused by?

Answer 17

Scissors

Question 18

What is meant by a passive defensive injury?

Answer 18

Victim raises arms or legs for projection and they get hurt instead

Question 19

What is meant by an active defensive injury?

Answer 19

Victim tries to grab weapon or attackers hand- knife can slice through hand

Question 20

RECAP- which bloods vessels cause subdural haemorrhage?

Answer 20

Bridging veins

->slower which is why people can appear fine and then die in sleep

Question 21

Commonest type of aneurysm causing subarachnoid haemorrhage?

Answer 21

Berry aneurysm

Question 22

What can cause a traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage?

Answer 22

Rapid rotational movement of the head, usually as the result of a single punch to jaw/upper part of neck or side of head

Question 23

Diffuse axon injury?

Answer 23

Immediate and prolonged coma with no apparent mass lesion or metabolic abnormality

Question 24

When is diffuse axonal injuries most commonly seen?

Answer 24

RTA’s

Question 25

What is some internal damage caused by blunt force injuries?

Answer 25

Fractured ribs
Lacerations of lungs or vessels
Bowel tears, liver or spleen lacerations

Question 26

What is some internal damage caused by sharp force injuries?

Answer 26

Intercostal vessels or ribs
Pneumothorax or haemothorax
Lungs- penetration, haemorrhage, collapse
Heart- penetration, tamponade

Question 27

Some injuries caused by resusitation?

Answer 27

Bruising on neck and chest
Finger marks
Bruising/laceration of lips and gums
Damage to teeth
Sternal and rib fractures
Pleural cavity haemorrhage