Sharp violence Flashcards
(16 cards)
Which are the most common manner of deaths when sharp violence is used? (in Sweden)
suicide and homicide (ca 50 per year), while accidents are only 2-5 cases per year
What is sharp violence?
Wounds caused by sharp-edged and pointed weapons
Which is the most common used weapon in sharp violence?
the knife
also: razor-blades, glass, axe, screw drivers, arrows, scissors
Name the three different kinds of sharp violence wounds
- incised (cut) wounds: lenght exceeds depth
- stab wounds: depth exceeds length
- chop wounds: sharp and blunt (both long and depp), e.g. by axe or sword; needs to be heavy
Name characteristics of incised wounds
- a sharp edge is drawn against the skin
- sharp edges of the wound (when perfeclty sharp weapon)
- no tissue bridges
- no injuries in the skin next to the wound (such as bruises)
Name characteristics of stab wounds
- a pointed weapon
- a wound in the skin and a wound track in the body
- the edges of the wound are often regular
- signs of blunt force in the skin next to the wound (e.g. bruises)
- no tissue bridges
- shape of the wound may have shape of the tool
What parameters are used to describe a wound?
(5)
- size
- shape
- edges and ends
- depth and direction
- location on the body
Which questions has the doctor to answer after the examination?
- what kind of weapon/what characteristics of weapon
- manner of death
- cause of death
- position of victim and perp
- injuries after death
Which questions has the doctor to answer in the court?
- how much force was needed?
- what was the survival time (could he have been saved?)
- physical activity (could the person have been active after stabbing?)
What circumstances can be found if the stabbing/cutting was self-inflicted/suicide?
- weapon near the body
- previous attempts
- suicide note
- mental illness/abuse
What is the injury picture in self inflicted deaths/suicide?
- exposed skin is cut
- forearm, wrist, throat, chest (a place you can reach)
- hesitation wounds
What are circumstances of homicide with sharp violence?
- no weapon at crime scene
- influence of alcohol
What is the injury picture in homicide with sharp violence?
- through clothes
- number/location of injuries
- defence wounds
- more than one fatal injury
- other injuries, blunt force
- no hesitation wounds
What are characteristics for accidental death due to sharp violence?
- some professions, where you use tools
- often injuries to the hand
Name causes of death associated with sharp violence? (6)
- exsanguation
- tamponade (heart sac filled with blood)
- blood aspiration (suffocation in blood)
- pneumothorax
- air embolism
- inflammation
How does one determine the force needed for the injury following sharp violence?
- condition of the knife
- sharp/dull point
- sharp/dull cutting edge
- thin/thick blade
- double/single edge
- resistance of the tissue/clothing
- depth and length of the stab wound
