Stab Wounds
Stab Wounds
Stab Wounds
STAB
Types
1. Penetrating wounds
When they enter the cavity of body or viscus.
2. Perforating wounds
When the weapon enters the body on one side and comes
out from the other side.
Known as through and through puncture wounds.
The entry wound is larger and with inverted edges.
The exit wound is smaller and with everted edges.
PENETRATING WOUND
PERFORATING WOUND
PERFORATING WOUND
Characters
1. Margins
Edges are clean and inverted.
The margins can be everted if wound is produced on
fatty area such as abdomen and gluteal region.
Usually there is no abrasion or bruise of the margins,
but in full penetration abrasion and bruise may be
found.
The margins may be abraded and ragged if the cutting
edge is blunt.
2. Length
Is slightly less than the width of the weapon up to which
it has been driven in, because of stretching of the skin.
3. Width
The maximum possible width of the knife can be
approximately determined if the edges of a gapping
wounds are brought together .
4. Depth
It is greater than the width and length of the external injury.
The depth is usually equal to or less than the length of the blade
that was used in producing it, but on yielding surfaces like the
anterior wall, the depth of the wound may be greater , because
the force of thrust may press the tissues underneath.
The expansion and retraction of the chest is also considered.
5. Shape
It depends on
the type of implement, cutting surface
sharpness, width and shape of the weapon
body region stabbed, the depth of insertion
the angle of withdrawal, the direction of thrust
the movement of blade, cleavage direction
the movement of the person stabbed, and
condition of the tension or relaxation of the skin.
WEDGE SHAPED
ELLIPTICAL
SLIT LIKE
DIFFERENT SHAPES
6. Direction
When knife penetrates at an angle, the wound will
have a bevelled margin on one side with
undermining on the other, indicating the direction
from which the knife entered.
Complications
1.External haemorrhage is slight but the there may be
marked internal haemorrhage.
2.Infection of wound.
3.Air embolism.
4.Pneumothorax
5.Asphyxia
Examination:
Identification and labelling of cuts and damages to
clothing.
Distribution of blood stains.
Removal of clothing layer by layer.
Identification and labelling of wounds.
Wounds
i) Position
ii) Location
iii) Description including margin ,size, shape, ends, etc.
iv) Direction
v) Depth
vi) Trauma to viscera
vii) Foreign bodies.
Opinion
The external and internal appearance of a stab wound
helps to give an opinion upon: Dimension of the weapon
The type of the weapon
The taper of the blade
Movement of the blade in the wound.
The depth of the wound
The direction of the stab
Amount of the force
Circumstances of injuries
Suicidal
They are found over accessible parts of the body.
The direction is upwards, backwards and to the right.
The depth is variable.
HARA-KIRI
HARA-KIRI
Homicide
Most stab wounds are homicidal , especially
found in an inaccessible area.
Accidental
Wounds are rare.
HOMICIDAL
Suicidal wounds
Homicidal wounds
Accidental wounds
1. Number
Often single
Frequently multiple
Usually single
2. Site
May be anywhere
3. Tentative
wounds
Absent
4. Clothing
Normally not
disturbed
Not disturbed
5.Defence
wounds
Absent
Often present
Absent
Incised wound
1.Manner of
production
By pointed sharp or
blunt weapons
2. Site
Anywhere
Anywhere ; usually
chest and abdomen
3. Margin
Irregular and
undermined
Usually present
absent
6.Shape
Lacerated wound
Stab wound
Rare
Linear or irregular
Differences (contd.)
7. Dimension
8. Depth of wound Structures are clean cut to Small strands of tissues Structures cleanly cut
the depth of wound
at the bottom bridge
across margins
9. Haemorrhage
Varies; usually
internal
Clean cut
Crushed or torn
11. Bones
May be cut
May be fractured
May be punctured
Usually present
Usually absent
13. Clothes
May be torn
May be cut
May be cut
2. Number of wounds
Multiple
Multiple
3. Target area
Accessible parts
no fixed site
Accident
Usually laceration,
abrasion and
contusion
Usually single, may be
multiple
Anywhere
4. Wound grouping
Arranged
Irregular
Vulnerable parts
5. Direction
Any direction
6. Severity
Mostly superficial
Variable severity
7. Hesitation marks
Usually present
Absent
Absent
Suicide
Homicide
Usually incised or stab Usually chop wounds,
laceration and stab
8. Defence wounds
absent
May be present
absent
9. Secondary injuries
absent
May be connected
with fight
May be associated
with accident
10. Weapon
Absent
Absent
May be damaged
11.Clothes
13. Motive
Present
Absent
Revenge , robbery,
sexual offences
Therapeutic wounds
Produced during treatment
e.g. Surgical incision, venesection, tracheostomy, etc.
Defence wounds
Two types :
Active defence wounds: Caused when victim tries to
grasp the weapon
Passive defence wounds: Caused when victim raises
hands, arms or legs.
Motives:
1. To charge an enemy with assault or attempt to murder.
STAB
EVISCERATION
Questions
Questions 1.
Wedge shaped stab wound are produced by :
Single sharp edged weapon.
Double sharp edged weapon
Sickle
Scissors
Questions 2.
Hilt bruise around the stab wound is produced by:
The knife has been partly entered
The knife has been fully plunged in the victim with great
force.
The knife has been placed obliquely
When screw driver has been used
Questions 3.
When wound enters the body on one side and comes out
from the other side is known as :
Perforating wound.
Penetrating wound
Lengthening of the wound
Any of the above
Questions 4.
Perforating wound always has:
Only exit wound
Only entry wound
Both.
It is closed wound
Questions 5.
In case of stab wound to heart, death is immediate, if:
Right ventricle is punctured
Left ventricle is punctured
Right atrium is punctured.
Left atrium is punctured
Questions 6.
Stab wound has maximum:
Breadth
Length
Depth.
None
Questions 7.
Penetrating injury to neck is defined as:
More than 2cm deep injury
Injury to any internal organ
Violation of platysma.
Caused by sharp instrument
Questions 8.
Double edged knife produces:
Elliptical wound
Linear wound
Circular wound
Curvilinear wound
Questions 9.
Stab wound are mostly:
Homicidal.
Suicidal
Accidental
Any of the above
Questions 10.
Stab wound are produced by:
Blunt weapon
Sharp and pointed weapon.
Sharp heavy weapon
Any of the above