MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF DEATH f) Winslow’s test – no movement in the image formed by reflecting

artificial light on the water in a saucer and placed in the chest if

Importance of Death determination: respiration is taking place.
1, The civil personality of a natural person is extinguished
by death. 3. Cooling of the body ( ALGOR MORTIS)
2.The property of a person is transmitted to his heirs at the - After death the metabolic process inside the body ceases.
time of death. - The progressive fall of the body temp. is one of the most prominent
3. The death of a partner is one of the causes of dissolution signs.
of partnership - First two hours after death the cooling is rapid.
agreement. - Fall of temp. of 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit is considered as a
4. The death of either the principal or agent is a mode of certain sign of death.
extinguishment of
agency. POST-MORTEM CALORICITY – is the rise of temp. of the body after
5. The criminal liability is extinguish by death. death due to rapid and early putrefactive changes. Usually in the
6. The civil case for claims which does not survive is first 2 hours.
dismissed upon death of the = seen in cholera, liver abscess, tetanus, RF,Strynine poisoning,
defendant. Peritonitis

Death – is the termination of life. A. Conditions connected with the body:

Kinds of death:
1. Somatic or clinical death – persistence of vital Factors delaying the rate of cooling of the body:
functions 1. Acute pyrexial disease
2. Molecular or cellular death – 3 to six hours after 2. Sudden death in good health
cessation of life 3. Obesity of person
3. Apparent death or State of suspended animation – 4. Death from asphyxia
transient loss of consciousness in hysteria, 5. Death of the middle age
uremia, electric shock
Factors accelerating cooling:
Signs of death: 1. Leaness of the body
2. Extreme age
1. Cessation of heart action and circulation., Usually the 3. Long-standing illness
auricle contract after 4. Chronic pyrexial disease with wasting
somatic death fro a longer period than the ventricle, last
to stop so called B. Conditions that are connected with the surroundings
ULTIMEN MARIENS.
Factors delaying cooling:
Methods of detecting the cessation of heart action and 1. Clothings
circulation: 2. Want of access of air to the body
a) Examination of the heart- pulse, aucultation, flouro, 3. Small room
ECG 4. Warm surroundings

b) Examination of peripheral circulation Factors accelerating cooling:

= Magnus test – application of ligature around the
base of the finger
- bloodless area at site of
application
- dead man – no change
= Opening of small artery- spurting
1. Unclothed body
2. Conditions allowing the access of air
3. Large room permitting the dissipation of heat
4. Cooling more rapid in water than in air
Methods of estimating how long a person has been dead from the
cooling of the body:

= Icards test – injection of flourescein SQ 1. If body temp. is normal at the time of death:
- greenish yellow discoloration in the = the average rate of fall of the temp. during the first 2 ½ hours is ½ of
whole skin the
- dead man only in the area of difference of the body temperature and that of the air.
injection = the body attains the temp. of the surrounding air from 12 to 15 hours
= Pressure on fingernails after
= Diaphanous test – fingers are spread wide death in tropical countries.
through a strong light- Red
= Application of heat on the skin - blister 2. Chemical Method ( Schourup’s formula for the determination of the
= Palpation of Radial pulse time of death of any cadaver whose CSF is examined for the
= Dropping of melted wax concentrations of L.A., NPN, A.A.
= L.A> 15 mg to 200 mg/100cc rapid in 1st 5 hours.
2. Cessation of respiration – more than 3 ½ minutes = NPN inc. from 15 to 40 mg/100 cc in 1st 15 hours
= A.A. inc. from 1 mg to 12 mg% 1st 15 hours.
Methods of detecting cessation of respiration:
a) Observance of movement of chest and abdomen
b) With the aid of stet. 4. INSENSIBILITY OF THE BODY AND LOSS OF POWER TO MOVE
c) Examination with a mirror = may be seen in the living with- apoplexy, epilepsy , trance, catalepsy,
d) Examination with a feather or cotton fibers hysteria
e) Examination with a glass of water
5. CHANGES IN THE SKIN – opacity, flattening, loss of
elasticity b) Age
= early onset – aged and newborn
6. CHANGES IN AND ABOUT THE EYE = delayed – good health, good muscular development
a) Loss of corneal reflex – seen I n live pts: G.A.,
uremia, narcotic poisoning c) Integrity of nerves
b) Clouding of cornea = section of the nerve will delay onset, paralyzed muscle
c) Flaccidity of the eyeball
d) Pupil in the position of rest.
e) TACHE NOIR DE LA SCLEROTIQUE – spot found in
the sclera after death.

7. ACTION OF HEAT ON THE SKIN (2) External factors

= Heat applied while alive – produced blister with serum a) Temperature
and redness around the area. = Hastened by high temperature
= > 75 degrees will produce heat stiffening
= Following combinations of signs show death has b) Moisture
occurred: = rapidly but with short duration in moist air
a) Loss of animal heat to a point not
compatible with life Conditions simulating RIGOR MORTIS:
b) Absence of response of muscle stimulus 1. Heat stiffening - > 75 degrees coagulates muscle proteins resulting to
c) Onset of rigor mortis. rigidity.
= “ Pugilistic attitude” flexed upper and lower limb
CHANGES IN THE BODY FOLLOWING DEATH = hands clenched, flexor stronger than extensors, burned to
death
1. CHANGES IN THE MUSCLE – complete relaxation of
the whole 2. Cold stiffening
muscular system. = due to solidification of fats when exposed to cold temp.
Three Stages After Death:
a) Stage of primary flaccidity ( POST-MORTEM 3. Cadaveric spasm or Instantaneous Rigor
IRRITABILITY) = instantaneous rigidity due to extreme nervous tension,
= muscle relax, may contract, dilated pupil, exhaustion,
sphincters are relaxed injury to the nervous system.
= presence of molecular life = weapon in hand, weeds
= warm place: 1 hour and 51 minutes
= chemical reaction of muscle is alkaline RIGOR MORTIS CADAVERIC
SPASM
b) Stage of post-mortem rigidity ( CADAVERIC 1. Time of appearance 3-6H after death Immediately after
RIGIDITY , death
DEATH STRUGGLE OF MUSCLES OR RIGOR 2. Muscles involved All muscles Certain group
MORTIS) 3. Occurrence Natural phenomena May or may not
= whole body is rigid due to contraction of the appear
muscles 4. Medico-legal signif. Approximates time of death Determine nature
= starts at muscle of neck, lower jaw of death
= Reaction is acidic due to inc. of lactic acid
= develops 3 to 6 hours after death in temperate, RIGOR MORTIS MUSCLE
earlier in warm CONTRACTION
= last from 2 to 3 days in temperate, warm: 24-48H 1. Contracted muscle Losses transparency More or less
cold weather transparent
18-36H 2. Elasticity Loss elasticity Very elastic
summer 3. Litmus reaction Acidic Neutral or sl.
alkaline
c) Stage of Secondary flaccidity or 4. Contraction Absolute flaccidity Possess inherent
Commencement of putrefaction contraction
( DECAY OF MUSCLES) 2. CHANGES IN THE BLOOD
= muscle are flaccid, not respond to stimuli, a) Coagulation of blood
reaction is alkaline = blood may remains fluid inside the blood vessels 6-8H after
= due to dissolution of muscle proteins death.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE TIME OF ONSET OF

RIGOR MORTIS ANTE-MORTEM CLOT POST-MORTEM
CLOT
(1) Internal Factors 1. Consistency Firm Soft
a) State of the muscles 2. Surface of blood vessels Raw after clots are removed Smooth,
= healthy – appears late health after
= Onset is hastened in: 3. Clots Homogenous Can be
a.1 hunted animal stripped
a.2 prolonged convulsion/lingering illness can’t be stripped off in
a.3 death from- TY, Cholera, Phthisis, layers
typhus
 b) Post-mortem Lividity or Cadaveric Lividity , or Post-
mortem Suggilation or Post-mortem Hypostasis or Livor
Mortis
= Stoppage of heart action and loss of tone of b.v.
accumulates in dependent areas except in bony
areas.
= capillaries coalesce > purplish in color called Post-
mortem lividity.
= Hasten by death due to cholera, uremia, Typhus
fever
= appears 3 – 6 H after death and fully developed 12
H after death.
Physical characteristics of Post-mortem Cadaveric
Lividity
1. Occurs in the most dependent areas.
2. Involves the superficial layer of the skin
3. Does not appear elevated from the rest of the skin.
4. Color is uniform.
5. No injury of the skin
Kinds of Post-mortem Cadaveric Lividity
1. Hypostatic lividity
2. Diffusion lividity
Importance of Cadaveric lividity:
1. One of the signs of death.
2. Determines the position of the body has been
changed after it’s appearance in the body.
3. Color of lividity may indicate the cause of death.
a) asphyxia – lividity is dark
b) CO poisoning – pink
c) Hemorrhage – less marked
d) Hydrocyanic acid – bright red
e) Phosphorus – dark brown
f) Potassium chlorate – coffee brown
4. Determines how long the person has been dead
5. Gives us an idea as to the time of death.
Points to be considered which may infer the position of
the body at the time of death:
1. Posture of the body when found.
2. Post-mortem hypostasis or lividity
3. Cadaveric spasm
CONTUSSION (BRUISE)
1. Small bruises – Below epidermis in true skin
larger ones - below this
2. Cuticle Abraded by the same violence
that produce the bruise.
3. Bruise Appears at the seat or surrounding
may or may not be dependent
4. Elevated, inflammatory condition
CONTUSSION (BRUISE) POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS
5. Incision shows blood outside the b.v.
= most certain test of difference
6. Color variegated
Internal hypostasis in Visceral organs:
1. Lungs
2. Loops of intestine
3. Brain
POST-MORTEM LIVIDITY OF ORGANS
1. Post-mortem
staining in organs Irregular, most dependent parts
POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS
In the epidermis or cutis
Unabraded
Always dependent
Not elevated, blood in b.v.
Blood inside the vessels
Uniform color
SIMPLE CONGESTION
Uniform, all organs
2. Mucous membrane Dull,lusterless Not in congestion
3. Inflammatory exudate Not seen Not seen
Other changes in the blood
1. Hydrogen ion concentration – acid pH CO2, L.A., After 24H alkaline
ammonia.
2. Breakdown of liver glycogen leads to accumulation of dextrose in the
IVC and
the right side of the heart.
3. Rise in NPN and Free A.A.
4. Chemical:
= chloride in the plasma/RBC decrease due to extravascular
diffusion, in
72 H only ½ of its content.
= Mg – increases due to diffusion from without.
= K – increases due to diffusion from the vascular endothelium.
3. AUTOLYTIC OR AUTODIGESTIVE CHANGES AFTER DEATH
- After death, proteolytic, glycolytic and lipolytic ferments of the
glandular
tissues continue to act which lead to the autodigestion of organs.
4. PUTREFACTION OF THEBODY
- Is the breaking down of complex proteins into simpler components
associated
with the evolution of foul smelling gasses and accompanied by the
change of
color of the body.
Tissue changes in putrefaction:
1. Changes in the color of the tissue
Hemolysis of blood within blood vessels > Hgb diffuses through the
walls
Reddish-brown in color
In the tissues > Hgb undergo chemical change
Greenish-yellow 1st seen at R Iliac
fossa
MARBOLIZATION – prominence of the superficial veins with reddish
discoloration which develops on both flanks of
the
abdomen, neck, and shoulder
= look like “marbled” reticule of branching veins.
2. Evolution of gasses in the tissues
CO2, ammonia, H2, Suphurated hydrogen, methane.= offensive odor
Effects of pressure of gasses of putrefaction:
a) displacement of the blood – bleeding in open wounds
b) bloating of the body
c) fluid coming out from nostrils, mouth
d) extrusion of the fetus in a gravid uterus
e) floating of the body
3. Liquefaction of the soft tissues
Putrefy rapidly : Eyeball, lining of trachea, larynx , brain,
stomach, intestine, liver, spleen
Putrefy late : Highly muscular organs and tissues, Esophagus,
diaphragm, heart, lungs, kidneys, U.B., uterus, P.G.
Factors modifying the RATE of putrefaction:
1. INTERNAL FACTORS BEEN SUBMERGED IN WATER
a) age : healthy adults, NB not
yet fed, later than infants FIRST 4 OR 5 DAYS Cold water little change, in rigor mortis
b) condition of body : full grown/obese – FROM 5 – 7 DAYS Skin on hands, feet is bleached, face faded
rapid , Stillborn- late white
c) cause of death : infection - rapid 1 – 2 WEEKS Face swollen and red, skin of hands and
feet wrinkled
2. EXTERNAL FACTORS 4 WEEKS Skin wrinkled, nail intact
a) Free air 6 – 8 WEEKS Abdomen distended, skin of hands/ feet
a.1 air : free air hastens decomposition come off with nails
a.2 moderate moisture - accelerates
a.3 loaded with septic bacteria – early aerobes, Factors influencing the floating of the body in water:
later anaerobic 1. age – fully developed, well nourished - rapid
- Clostridium welchii= 2. sex – females floats sooner
decomposition 3. conditions of the body – obese float quicker
b) Earth 4. season of the year – moist hot air – putrefaction – floats due to
b.1 dry absorbent soil - retards gas
b.2 moist fertile soil - accelerates 5. water- shallow and stagnant water of creeks, higher specific
gravity
c) Running water- more rapid than still water - sea water floats sooner than fresh water, higher specific
d) Clothings – early it hastens but delays in the gravity
later stage. 6. external influence – heavy-wearing apparel - slower
- tight clothings - delay
Only teeth, bones and hair remain for an indefinite time.
Flat bones disintegrates faster than round bones.
Factors influencing the changes in the body after
burial: SPECIAL MODIFICATION OF PUTREFACTION
1. state of the body before death – thin slower, 1. Mummification
mummify = is the dehydration of the whole body which results in the
2. time elapsed between death and burial and shivering and preservation of the body.
environment of the body = usually occurs when buries in a hot, dry with free access of
3. effect of coffin – later hot air
4. clothings and other coverings on the body when
buried – pressure, insects 2. Saponification or Adipocere fromation
5. depth at which the body was buried - greater the = a condition where the fatty tissues of the body are
later transformed to soft brownish-white substance known as
6. condition and type of soil ADIPOCERE at SQ level.
7. inclusion of something in the grave which will
hasten decomposition-food 3. Maceration
8. access of air to the body after burial = softening of the tissues when in fluid medium in the absence of
9. mass grave – rapid putrefactive mircro-org, seen in death in utero
10. trauma to the body – violent death - slow – reddish or greenish color, skin peeling off and arms flaccid and
frail.

CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE OF PUTREFACTIVE

CHANGES OCCURING IN TEMPERATE REGIONS HOW LONG A PERSON HAS BEEN DEAD? DURATION OF DEATH
1. Presence of rigor mortis : 2-3 hours after death
12 H fully developed
1-3 DAYS AFTER DEATH - greenish discoloration over 18-36 H disappears concomitant with putrefaction
2. Presence of Post-mortem lividity
iliac fossa, soft eyeballs 3-6 H after death
3-5 DAYS - frothy blood from mouth, appears as small petechia-like red spots
3. Onset of decomposition
nostrils 24-48 H after death
8-10 DAYS - abdominal distention, nails manifested watery. foul smelling froth, mouth, nostrils
4. Stage of decomposition
firm
14-20 DAYS - blisters all over the body, 5. Entomology of the cadaver – 24 H before eggs are hatched, maggots

maggots 6. Stage of digestion - 3-4 H gastric empty

2-5 MONTHS - skull exposed, orbits empty 6-8 distal ileum, cecum

7. Presence of live flies in the clothing in the drowning victim – less than 24H
IN TROPICAL REGION 8. State of clothings - pajama , night
9. Changes in CSF
12 HOURS Rigor mortis all over, hypostasis, greenish- 10. Blood clots inside the b.v. in 6 –8 H after death.
11. Soft tissues of the body may disappear 1 to 2 years after burial.
discoloration caecum
24 HOURS Rigor mortis absent all over, abdominal Post-mortem conditions simulating disease, poisoning or injury:
distention 1. post mortem hypostasis – contusion, inflammation , poisoning
48 H Ova of flies, trunk bloated, face discolored 2. blisters of the cuticle – scald and burns
72 H Whole body grossly swollen, hairs and nails 3. swelling, detachment or splitting - injury
loose
ONE WEEK Soft viscera putrefied
TWO WEEKS Soft tissues largely gone PRESUMPTION OF DEATH
ONE MONTH Body skeletonized Disputable presumption - not heard in 7 years
Presumption of death PATHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY MEDICO-LEGAL AUTOPSY

Absence of 7 years except succession 10 years 1. Requirement Consent of next of kin Law that gives the consent
Vessel for 4 years 2. Confirmation Clinical findings of research Correlate tissue changes to
criminal act
Armed forces 4 years 3. Emphasis Notation at all abnormal findings Effect of wrongful act
In danger of death 4 years 4. Conclusion Summation of all abnormal findings Specific to the purpose
5. Minor Need not be mentioned Included if useful

PRESUMPTION OF SURVIVORSHIP
1. under 15 y.o. – older survives
2. above 60 y.o.- younger
3. under 15, above 60 - former
4. over 15 and under 60 y.o. – male, older
5. under 15, or over 60 y.o. and the other in between - latter
MEDICO-LEGAL INVESTIGATION OF DEATH
Inquest Officer – is an official of the state charged with the
duty of inquiring into certain matters.
- in medico-legal examination: manner and
cause of death
The following officials of the government are
authorized to make death investigations:
1. Provincial and City Prosecutors
2. Judges of the RTC, MTC
3. Director of NBI
4. SolGen
Stages of MEDICO-LEGAL INVESTIGATION:
1.Crime Scene Investigation – investigation of place of
commission of the
crime
2.Autopsy - investigation of the body of
the victim
1. Crime Scene Investigation
- place where the essential ingredients of the crime took
place.
- Person composed the Search Team:
a) Physician MLI trained
b) Photographer
c) Assistant, evidence collector, note taker
2. Autopsy
- comprehensive study of a dead body, in addition to the
external examination . Post-mortem examination-
external exam without incision being made.
Purpose of autopsy:
1. Determine cause of death
2. Correlate clinical diagnosis and symptoms
3. Determine effectiveness of treatment
4. Study the natural course of the disease
5. Educate students and physicians
MEDICO-LEGAL OR OFFICIAL AUTOPSY:
1. Determine cause, manner, time of death
2. Recovering, identifying, preserving evidentiary
material
3. Provide interpretation and correlation of facts
related to death
4. Provide factual, objective medical report
5. Separating death due to disease from external
causes.
Dead body belongs to the state for cases that requires
medico-legal autopsy.
The following manner of death should be autopsied:
1. Death by violence
2. Accidental deaths
3. Suicides
4. Sudden death of persons who are in good health
5. Death unattended by physician
6. D.O.A. with no clinical diagnosis
7. Death occurring in an unnatural manner
Mistakes in autopsy:
1. Error or omission in the collection of evidence for identification
2. Errors or omission in the collection of evidence required fro
establishing the time of death
3. Errors or omission in the collection of evidence required fro the
medico-legal examination.
4. Errors or omission result in the production of undesirable
artifacts or in the destruction of valid evidence.
Negative autopsies
- if after all efforts including gross and microscopic studies and
toxicological analysis fail to reveal a cause of death.
Negligent autopsy
No cause of death is found due to imprudence, negligence, lack of skill,
lack of foresight.
MEDICO-LEGAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE CAUSES OF DEATH
a. Natural death – cause by natural disease condition in the body.
b. Violent death
1. Accidental death
2. Negligent death
3. Infanticidal death
4. Parricidal death
5. Murder
6. Homicidal death
If signs of violence are associated with the natural cause of death:
The following are deaths due to natural causes:
1. Affection of the CNS
a. Cerebral apoplexy – sudden loss of consciousness followed by
paralysis or
death due to Hemorrhage from thrombosis
or
embolism in the cerebral vessels.
b. Abscess of the brain
c. Meningitis of the fulminant type
2. Affection of the circulatory system
a. Occlusion of the coronary vessels :
=most common cause of Sudden death due to natural
causes.
b. Fatty or myocardial degeneration of the heart.
c. Rupture of the aneurysm of the aorta
d. Valvular heart disease
 e. Rupture of the heart imprudence

3. Affections of the Respiratory system 3. Suicidal death , destruction of one’s self

a. Acute edema of the larynx - not punished, unfortunate being.
b. Tumor of the larynx - Art 253 RPC Giving assistance to suicide. Punishable because
c. Diptheria he has no right to destroy or assist in the destruction of life of another.
d. Edema of the lungs
e. Pulmonary embolism 4. Parricidal deaths
f. Lobar pneumonia Art. 246 father, mother, child, (leg/illeg) ascendant, descendant,
g. Pulmonary hemorrhage spouse (leg.)

4. Affections of the GIT 5. Infanticidal deaths – Art. 255 killing of a child less than 3 days
a. Ruptured PUD
b. Acute intestinal obstruction 6. Murder Art. 248
- treachery, consideration, means of inundation, occasion of
5. Affections of the GUT calamities,
a. Acute strangulated hernia - evident pre-meditation, cruelty
b. Ruptured tubal pregnancy
c. Ovarian cyst with twisted pedicle 7. Homicidal deaths Art 249

6. Affection of the glands DEATHS UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

a. Status thymico-lymphaticus 1. Death caused in a tumultuous affray Art 251.
b. Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis 2. Deaths or physical injuries inflicted under exceptional
circumstances. Art 247
7. Sudden death in young children
a. Bronchitis 2. PATHOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE CAUSES OF DEATH
b. Congestions of the lungs a. Death due to syncope – fatal and sudden cessation of the
c. Acute broncho-pneumonia action of the heart.
d. Acute gastroenteritis
e. Convulsion b. Death from asphyxia – a condition in which the supply of
f. Spasm of the larynx oxygen to the blood or to the tissues or to both has been
reduced below normal working level.
Stage of increasing dyspnea 1 min
B. Violent death Stage of Expiratory convulsion
- are due to injuries inflicted in the body by some forms Stage of exhaustion 3 min
of outside force.
The physical injury must be the proximate cause of c. Death from coma
death.
= That the victim at the time the physical injuries were
inflicted was in normal health. SPECIAL DEATHS
= That the death may be expected from the physical
injuries inflicted. 1. Judicial deaths – Art. III Sec.1 Par. 19 Phil. Const.
= That the death ensued within a reasonable time. “cruel and unusual punishment shall not be inflicted. ;
electrocution, hanging, musketry, gas chamber.
2. Euthanasia or mercy killing
CLASSIFICATION OF TRAUMA OR INJURIES 3. Suicide
Automatism - due to drug may be considered
1. Physical injury – trauma sustained through as accidental rather than suicidal.
the use of physical force.
2. Thermal injury – injury by heat or cold
3. Electrical injury – electrical energy. Evidences that will infer death is suicidal:
4. Atmospheric injury – due to change of
atmospheric pressure. 1. History of depression, mental disease.
5. Chemical injury – chemicals 2. Previous attempt
6. Radiation injury – radiation 3. Injuries are located in areas accessible to hand.
7. Infection – microbic invasion 4. Effects of the act of self-destruction may be found in the victim;,
empty bottle
5. Presence of suicidal note.
PENAL CLASSIFICATION OF VIOLENT DEATHS 6. Secluded, not in public view.
1. Accidental deaths – due to misadventure or accident. 7. Evidences which rule out H,M, P
Art. 12 no. 4 RPC
Any person who while performing a lawful act with due
care, causes an injury by mere accident without fault or 4. Death from starvation :
intention of causing it.
Ex. Patient died of ATS injection after proper skin test. Cause may be due to suicidal, homicidal or accidental.
2. Negligent death – felonies may be committed when the The human body without food losses 1/24th of its weight daily.
wrongful act is due to reckless imprudence, negligence, And 40% loss>death
lack of skill or foresight.
Ex. Surgeon left a pack – Homicide through reckless Factors that influence the length of survival: age, condition of the body,
sex, environment. tissue to lacerate.

MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF PHYSICAL INJURIES VITAL REACTION

Physical injury : is the effect of some of stimulus on the = It is the sum total of all reactions of tissue or organ to trauma, either
body. observed micro or macroscopically.
Stab wound the effect is immediate but a
blunt object is delayed production on the
contusion. a. RUBOR – redness or congestion of the area due to an increase of
blood supply as a part of the reparative mechanism.
Causes of Physical Injuries
b. CALOR – Sensation of heat or increase in temperature.
1. Physical violence
2. Heat or cold c. DOLOR - pain due to involvement of the sensory nerve.
3. Electrical energy
4. Chemical energy d. LOSS OF FUNCTION- due to trauma, the tissue may not
5. Radiation by radioactive substances function.
6. Change of atmospheric pressure
7. Infection The presence of vital reaction differentiates an ante-mortem from a post-
mortem injury.
1. PHYSICAL INJURIES BROUGHT ABOUT BY
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE
EXCEPT: vital reactions not seen even if injury inflicted during life:
= The effect of the application of physical injury on 1. During agonal state of a living person were cells don’t
person is the production of wound. react to the trauma.
= A disruption of the anatomic integrity of the tissues 2. Sudden death as in sudden coronary occlusion.
of the body.
= However, not all physical violence will result in the CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS:
production of wound.
1. AS TO SEVERITY
Physics of wound production: a. Mortal wound – caused immediately after infliction that
MV2 is capable of death.
a. Kinetic energy = __________ Parts of body that are mortal – heart, vessels, CNS,
2 lungs, other organs.

`Velocity component is the important factor: b. Non-mortal wound - Not capable of producing death
M16 rifle with a velocity of 3200 ft/ sec causes after infliction.
damage more than a heavier .38
caliber. 2. AS TO KIND OF INSTRUMENT USED

b. Time a. Blunt instrument – contusion, hematoma, lacerated

= The shorter the period of time needed for
the transfer of energy, the greater the likelihood of
producing damage.
= If a person is hit on the body and the body
moves towards the direction of the force applied, the injury
is less as when the body is stationary.
= The longer the time of contact between the
object or instrument causing the injury, the greater will be
the dissipation of energy.
c. Area of transfer
= The larger the area of contact between the
force applied on the body, the lesser the damage to the
body.
= By applying an equal force, the damage
caused by stabbing is greater compared to a blunt
instrument.
d. Other factors
= The less elastic and plastic the tissue > the
greater that a laceration will result.
=
Elasticity :
Ability of the tissue to return to its normal
sizes and shape after being deformed by a pressure.
= A force transmitted through a tissue
containing fluid will force the fluid away from the area of
contact in all directions equally, frequently causing the
wound.
b. Sharp instrument
= Sharp-edge instrument> incised wound
= Sharp pointed > punctured wound
= Sharp edge and sharp-pointed > stab
c. Wounds brought about by tearing force – lacerated
wound
d. By change in atmospheric pressure – barotraumas.
e. Wounds brought about by heat or cold – frostbite,
scald, burns.
f. Wounds brought about by chemical explosion – GSW,
shrapnel wound
g. Wounds brought about by infection.
3. AS TO THE MANNER OF INFLICTION
a) HIT – means of bolo, blunt instrument, axe.
b) TRUST or STAB – bayonet dagger
c) GUN POWDER EXPLOSION – Projectile or shrapnel
wound.
d) SLIDING or RUBBING or ABRASION
4. AS REGARDS TO THE DEPTH OF THE WOUND
a) Superficial – wound involves only the layers of the
skin.
b) Deep – inner structures beyond the layers of the
 skin. a.1 –PETECHIAE – is a circumscribed extravasation of
blood in the subcutaneous tissue
PENETRATING WOUND - Wounding agent did not or underneath the mucous
come out or Piercing a solid membrane.
organ. Example : mosquito bite, blood disease, hanging

PERFORATING WOUND – Wounding agent produces a.2 – CONTUSSION – is the effusion of blood into the
communication between the inner and outer portion of the tissues underneath the skin on
hollow organs. account of the rupture of the
blood vessels as a result of the application
OR piercing or traversing completely a particular part of the of blunt force or violence.
body causing communication between the points of entry = size of contusion greater than the size of
and exit of the instrument or substance producing it. the object.
= Location of the contusion is not always
5. AS REGARDS TO THE RELATION OF THE SITE OF the site of application of the force.
APPLICATION OF FORCE AND THE LOCATION OF Example: Black eye> Forehead
INJURY
Medico-legal point of view:
A contusion as indicated by its external pattern may
a. Coup Injury – Physical injury which is located at the site correspond to the
of the > shape of the object or weapon used.
application of force. Extent > the possible degree of violence
b. Contre-coup injury – opposite the site of the application applied.
of force. Distribution> indicates the character and manner of
injury as in manual strangulation around the neck.
c. Coup contre-coup injury – site and also opposite of
application of force. Age of Contusion: appreciated from its color change

d. Locus minoris resistencia – Physical injury not located at The size tends to become smaller from the periphery to the
the site nor opposite the site of center and passes through a series of color changes as a result of the
the application of force but in > Disintegration of the RBC and liberation of
some areas offering the least hemoglobin.
resistance to the force applied.
The contusion is red, purple soon after its complete
Example: Blow in fore head > contusion on the development.
region of the eyeball. 4 to 5 days > green
7 to 10 days > yellow and gradually disappears on the
e.Extensive injury – Physical injury involving a greater 14th or 15th day.
area of the body
beyond the site of the application The ultimate disappearance of color varies from 1 to 4 weeks
of force. depending upon the severity and constitution of the body.
Example : Fall or MVA
The color changes starts at the periphery.
6. AS TO REGIONS OR ORGANS OF THE BODY
INVOLVED
Injuries in various parts of the body CONTUSION VS. POST-MORTEM HYPOSTASIS

7. SPECIAL TYPES OF WOUNDS Contusion

a) DEFENSE WOUNDS – Instinctive reaction of Below the epidermis in the true skin in small bruises or
self- preservation. > extravasations, below this in larger ones and often much deeper still.
hands/fractures The epidermis has no blood vessels to be ruptured.

b)PATTERNED WOUND – Wound in the nature Post mortem Hypostasis

and shape of the instrument. In the epidermis or in the cutis as a simple stain or a showing
> Wheels,abrasions from through the epidermis of the underlying engorged capillaries.
rope.
Contusion
c)SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS - Wound produced on Cuticle was probably abraded by the same violence that produced
oneself but no intention to end the bruise. In small punctures such as fleas bites, this is not observed.
his life.
Post-mortem hypostasis
TYPES OF WOUNDS ( MEDICAL CLASSIFICATION) Cuticle unabraded, because the hypostasis is a mere sinking of the
blood, there is no trauma.
1. CLOSED WOUND – no breach of continuity of the skin
or mucous membrane. Contusion
A bruise appears at the seat of and surrounding the injury. This
a. Superficial – When the wound is just underneath may or may not be a dependent part.
the layers of the skin or mucous
membrane. Post-mortem hypostasis
Always in a part which for the time of information is dependent.

Contusion
Often elevated because elevated blood and
subsequent inflammation swell the tissues.
Post-mortem hypostasis
Not elevated, because either the blood is still in the
vessels or at most has simply soaked into and stained the
tissues.
Contusion
Incision shows blood outside the vessels. This is the
most certain test of difference and can be observed even in
very small bruises.
Post-mortem hypostasis
Incision shows the blood is still in its vessels and if any
oozing occurs drops can be seen issuing from the cut
mouths of the vessels.
Contusion
Color variegated. This is only true of bruises that are
the same days old due to the changes in the hemoglobin
produced during life.
Post-mortem hypostasis
Color is uniform. The well known change in color
produced in blood Extravasated Into living tissues does not
occur in dead tissues with the same regularity.
Contusion
If the body happens to be constricted at or supported
on a bruised place, the actual surface of contact may be a
little lighter than the rest of the bruise but will not be white.
Post-mortem hypostasis
In a place which would otherwise be the seat of
hypostasis pressure of any kind even simple support is
sufficient to obliterate the lumen of the venules and
capillaries and so to prevent their filling with blood.
White lines or patches of pressure bordered by the
dark color of hypostasis are produced and marks of
floggings, strangulation, etc. are thus sometimes simulated.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DEGREE AND EXTENT
OF CONTUSSION
1. General condition of the patient.
2. Part of the body affected. Fatty tissues, bloody
parts > contused easily
Fibrous areas, muscle > less
3. Amount of force applied –The greater the force, the
more effusion of blood.
4. Disease – Contusion may develop with or without
application of force.
Example: Aplastic anemia, whooping cough
5. Age – Children and old age tend to bruise easily.
6. Sex – women, obese easily develops unlike boxers.
7. Application of heat and cold
The distinction between ante-mortem and post-mortem
contusions in an undecomposed body is that in ;
1. Ante-mortem bruising: there is swelling, damage to
epithelium, extravasation, coagulation and
infiltration of the tissues with blood
2. Post-mortem bruising there are no such findings.
a.3 HEMATOMA
- is the extravasation or effusion of blood in a newly formed cavity
underneath the skin. When the blunt instrument hit a hard part
of the body like a bony part which is superficially located.
- Force causes the subcutaneous tissue to rupture on account of
the presence of a hard structure underneath..
DISTINCTION BETWEEN CONTUSION AND HEMATOMA
1. In contusion- the effused blood are accumulated in the
interstices of the tissues underneath the skin
In hematoma blood accumulates in a newly formed cavity
underneath the skin.
1. in contusion, theskin shows no elevation and is ever elevated,
the elevation is slight and is on account of inflammatory
changes
In hematoma – the skin is always eelevated.
2. In contusion, puncture or aspiration with syringe of the lesion,
no blood can be obtained.
In hematoma – shows presence of blood and subsequent
depression of the elevated lesion.
Abscess, gangrene, hypertrophy, fibroid thickening and
even malignancy are potential complications of
hematoma.
MUSCULO-SKELETAL INJURIES
1. Sprain - partial or complete disruption in the continuity os a
muscular or ligamentous support of a joint, due to a blow, kick
or torsion force.
2. Dislocation – displacement of the articular surface of bones
entering into the formation of a joint.
3. Fracture – solution of continuity of bone resulting from violence
or some existing pathology.
a. Close or Simple Fx – no break in continuity of the
overlying skin.
b. Open or Compound Fx – Fx is complicated by an
open wound caused by the
broken bone which protruded
with other tissues of the
broken skin.
c. Comminuted Fx – Fractured bone is fragmented into
several pieces.
d. Greenstick Fx – Fx wherein only one side of the bone
is broken while the other is merely
bent.
e. Linear Fx – when the Fx forms a crack usually in flat
bones.
f. Spiral Fx – break in the bones forms a spiral manner
as seen in long bones.
g. Pathologic Fx – Fx caused by weakness of the bone
due to disease.
4. Strain – the over-stretching instead of an actual tearing or the
rupture of a muscle or ligament which may not be associated
with the joint.
5. Sublaxation – Incomplete or partial dislocation.
INTERNAL HEMORRHAGE
- rupture of blood vessels which may cause hemorrhage due to
the following:
a. Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage.
b. Rupture of parenchymatous organs.
 c. Laceration of other part of the body.
CEREBRAL CONCUSSION ( COMMOTIO CEREBRI )
- THE JARRING OR STUNNING OF THE BRAIN
CHARACTERIZED BY MORE OR LESS COMPLETE
SUSPENSION OF ITS FUNCTIONS AS A RESULT OF
INJURY TO THE HEAD WHICH LEADS TO SOME
COMMOTION OF THE CEREBRAL SUBSTANCE.
- is more severe when the moving or mobile head
struck a fixed hard object as compared when the head is
fixed and struck by a hard moving object.
Signs and Symptoms
1. unconsciousness which is more or less complete.
2. muscles are relax and flaccid.
3. eyelids are closed and the conjunctivae are
insensitive.
4. surface of the body is pale, cold and clammy.
5. respiration is slow and sighing.
6. pulse is rapid, weak, faltering and scarcely
perceptible to the fingers.
7. temperature is subnormal.
8. sphincters are relaxed with unconscious
evacuation of the bowel and bladder.
9. reflexes are present but sluggish and in severe
cases may be absent.
Loss of memory for events just before the injury is a
constant effect of cerebral concussion and is of medico-
legal importance.
2. OPEN WOUNDS
a. Abrasion ( Scratch, graze, impression mark,
friction mark )
- it is an injury characterized by the removal of the
superficial epithelial layer of the skin caused by a
rub r friction against a hard rough object.
- Contussion with abrasion = forcible contact before
friction occurs.
- the shape varies and the raw surface exudes blood
and lymph which later dries and forms a protective
covering as SCAB or CRUST.
Characteristics of abrasion:
1. It develops at the precise point of the
force causing it.
2. Grossly or with the aid of a hand lens
the injury consists of parallel linear
injuries which are in line with the
direction of rub or friction causing it.
3. It may exhibit the pattern of the
wounding material.
4. Usually ignored by attending physician.
Medico-legal viewpoint
= abrasions caused by fingernails may
indicate struggle or assault
and are usually located in the face, neck,
forearms and hands.
= abrasions resulting from friction on rough
surfaces are located in bony
parts and are usually associated with
contusion or laceration.
= nature of the abrasion may infer degree of
pressure, nature of the rubbing object and the
direction of movement.
5. Abrasion heals in a short time and leaves no scar
unless if not infected or if the whole thickness of the
skin is involved.
Forms of abrasion
1. Linear abrasion – appears as a single line, straight
or curve.
= pinching with fingernails = curve
a.
= sliding the point of a needle =
straight linear ab.
2. Multi-linear – develops when the skin is rubbed on
a hard rough object producing
several linear marks parallel to one
another.
Example: MVA
3. Confluent – linear marks in the skin are almost
indistinguishable on account of the
severity of friction and roughness of the
object.
4. Multiple – several abrasions of varying sizes and
shapes may be found in different parts
of the body.
Types of abrasion
1. Scratch – caused by sharp pointed object which slides across
the skin, like pin, thorn or fingernail.
- Injury usually parallel to the direction of slide.
= Fingernail scratch > broad at point of commencement
with tailing at the end.
2. Graze – usually caused by forcible contact with rough, hard
objects resulting to irregular removal of the skin
surface.
= course indicated by a clean commencement and tags
on the end.
3. Impact or imprint abrasion ( patterned abrasion, stamping
abrasion, abrasion a la signature)
- those whose pattern and location provides objective
evidence to show cause, nature of the wounding instrument
and the manner of assault or death.
= marks of grid of radiator, thread marks of wheel, teeth
marks.
4. Pressure or friction abrasion – caused by pressure
accompanied by movement usually observed in hanging
or strangulation.
= spiral strands of the rope as seen in the skin in
hanging.
Differential diagnosis:
1. Dermal erosion - gradual breakdown or very shallow
ulceration of the skin which involves only the
epidermis and heals without scarring.
2. Marks of insects and fishes bites – skin injury is irregular with no vital
reaction and usually found on angles of the mouth, margins of nose,
eyelids and forehead.
3. Excoriation of the skin by excreta – found in infants and the skin
lesions heals when the cause is removed. No apparent history of rubbing
trauma on the affected area.
 4. Pressure sore – usually found at the back at the region Accidental wounds – multiple incised wounds observed on the
of bony prominence. History of longstanding illness, bed passenger and driver of MVA due to broken windshields.
ridden. - kitchen knives in the preparation of food.

ANTEMORTEM ABRASION POSTMORTEM ABRASION

SUICIDAL WOUNDS HOMICIDAL WOUNDS
COLOR reddish-bronze due to slight yellowish and transparent
exudation of blood
DIRECTION Oblique from below left ear, Usually horizontal below
downwards across front neck the adams apple
LOCATION any area over bony prominence
just above Adams apple
Rough handling of the cadaver
SEVERITY Usually not so deep and Usually deep and may cause
VITAL with intravital reaction shows not vital reaction and
may only involve trachea, involvement of the cartilage
REACTION may show remains of damaged is characterized by a separation
carotid and esophagus and bones.
Epithelium of the epidermis from
Complete loss of the former.
SUPERF’L Usually present before the Practically absent but may
CUT commencement of deeper rarely be present when the
wound. victim struggled when attacked
b. Incised wound ( cut, slash, slice)
– produced by a sharp-edged ( cutting)
POSIT’N OF May be sitting or facing a Usually victim lying on bed
THE BODY mirror or standing or in other place.
– or sharp-linear edge of the instrument like a knife, razor, bolo,
WOUNDING Firmly grasp (cadaveric spasm) Weapon is absent
glass etc.
WEAPON or found lying beside the
victim.
= Impact cut > when there is forcible contact of the cutting instrument
with the body surface.
BLOOD Bld found in front part of body Bld found at the back of neck.
= Slice cut > when cutting injury is due to the pressure accompanied
DISTRIBUTION Hand smeared with blood. Hands are clean.
with movement of the instrument
= Chopped or Hacked wound > when the wounding instrument is a
MOTIVE History of mental depression, Absence of such history
heavy cutting instrument like saber
Financial, social problems, alcoholism
> injury is severe

PREVIOUS Hx May be present Always absent

Of SELF-DESTRUCT’N
Characteristics of incised wound:
1. Edges are clean cut.
2. The wound is straight
3. Usually the wound is shallow near the extremities 3. STAB WOUNDS – is produced by the penetration of a sharp and a
and deep at the middle portion. sharp edged instrument like a knife, scissors.
4. Profuse hemorrhage because of the clean cut on - if the sharp edge is the one that comes in contact with the skin
the vessels. then it is an incised wound.
5. Gaping is usually present due to the retraction of - If the sharp pointed portion first come in contact, it is a stab
the edges. wound.
6. Clothes will also show a clean cut if cut by the
instrument. = surface length may reflect the width of the wounding
7. Faster healing if without complications. instrument.
8. Incised wound made by broken glasses maybe
irregular, needs to be removed. = smaller when the wound is not so deep.
Changes that occur in an incised wound: = wider if upon withdrawal is not in the same direction as
1. After 12 hours – edges are swollen, adherent with seen in slashing movement. The presence of an abrasion
blood and with leukocyte infiltration. from the extremity of the skin defect is in line with direction of
2. After 24 hours – proliferation of the vascular the slashing movement.
endothelium and connective tissue cells.
3. After 36 to 48 hours –capillary network complete, The extremities of stab wound may show the nature of the instrument
fibroblasts running at right angles to the vessels. used.
4. After 3 to 5 days – vessels show thickening and - a doubled bladed weapon shows both extremities to be sharp.
obliteration. - A single bladed weapon – one of its extremities as rounded and
contused, not seen if instrument is quite thin.
Why a person suffers from incised wound:
1. As a therapeutic procedure. The direction of the surface defect may be useful in the determination of
2. As a consequence of self-defense the possible relative position of the offender and the victim when the
3. Masochist may self-inflict incised wounds for self- wound was inflicted.
gratification.
4. Addicts and mental patients. As to whether the wound is slit-like or gaping depends on the direction of
the wound to the Langers line.
Suicidal wounds – usually located in peculiar parts of the
body, accessible to the hand. The depth of the wound may be influence by:
- the most common site is the wrist, radial artery 1. size and sharpness of the instrument.
and the neck. 2. area of the body involved
3. the degree of force applied
Homicidal wounds – usually deep, multiple and involves
both accessible and non-accessible parts. Hemorrhage is always the most serious consequence of stab wound
- clothing are usually involved due to the severance of blood vessels or involvement of bloody
- Defense and other forms of wounds are present. organs.
 kill the victim:
1. there are more than one stab wounds
2. stab wounds located in different parts of the body
3. stab wounds are deep
4. serrated stab wounds means thrust and withdrawal of the
wounding weapon to increase internal damages.
5. irregular or stellate shape skin defects> due to changing
How to describe stab wound: direction of the weapon with the portion of the instrument at the
level of the skin as the lever.
1. length of the skin defect – edges must be coaptated
first
Tailing – the direction of withdrawal of the
wounding weapon.
2. condition of the extremities
= sharp extremity > sharpness of the instrument 4. PUNCTURED WOUND - is the result of a thrust of a sharp
used. pointed instrument.
= If Both extremity are sharp > double bladed
weapon is used. = External injury is quite small but the depth is to a certain degree.; ice-
3. condition of the edges. pick, nail
= edges are regular and clean cut> due to one
stabbing act. - Nature of the external injury depends on the sharpness of the end of
= serrated or zigzag in appearance > several the wounding instrument:
stabbing wounds ( series of thrust and withdrawal.) = contusion of the edges> if end is not sharp
4. linear direction of the wound – it may be running = opening may be> round, elliptical, diamond shaped or
vertically, horizontally, or upward medially or cruciate.
laterally.
5. location of the stab wound – to include exact - External hemorrhage is limited although internal injuries may be
measurement from anatomical landmarks. severe.> blood vessels and bloody organs is fatal if no intervention
6. direction of the penetration – must be tridimentional applied.
7. depth of the penetration
8. tissue and organs involved - Site of external wound can be easily sealed by dried bld, serum, or
clotted bld.
- Punctured wounds are usually accidental

Characteristics:
1. The opening of the skin is very small, wound is much
Stab wounds may be: deeper than it is wide.
A.Suicidal 2. External hemorrhage is limited than internally may be
1. Located over vital parts of the body. severe.
2. Usually solitary 3. Sealing of external opening is favorable for the growth
3. Located over covered parts of the body, the and multiplication of anaerobic organism like bacillus
clothing is not involved tetani.
4. Stab wound is accessible to the hand of the
victim Homicidal -
5. Hand of victim is smeared with blood 1. multiple and usually located in different parts of the body.
6. Wounding weapon is firmly grasp by the hand 2. wound are deep
of the victim. 3. there are defense wounds on the victim.
7. If stabbing is accompanied with slashing 4. signs of struggle in the crime scene.
movement
> the wound tailing abrasion is seen towards Suicidal -
the hand inflict the injury. 1. located in areas of the body where the vital organs are
8. Suicide not may be present located.
9. Presence of a motive for self destruction. 2. usually singular, if multiple located in one area.
10. No disturbance in the death scene with 3. parts of body involved is accessible by the hand of the
wounding instrument found near the victim.
victim. 4. clothing usually not involved.
5. wounding is made while the victim is in sitting or standing
B. Homicidal – stabbing with homicidal intent is the position , bleeding is towards the lower part of the body
most common or clothing.
Characteristics:1. Injuries other than stab wound may 6. no disturbance in the crime scene.
be present . 7. wounding instrument found near the body.
2. Stab wound may be located in any
part of the body. Puncturing wound with puncturing instrument loaded with poison:
3. Usually more than one stab wound 1. poison dart – cyanide or nicotine
4. A motive for stabbing, if none then 2. fish spines
the offender either insane/drugs 3. dog bites with hydrophobia virus
5. Disturbance in the crime scene 4. injection of air and poison as a way of euthanasia.

Medical evidence showing the intent of the offender to 5.LACERATED WOUNDS ( TEAR, RUPTURE, STRETCH “PUTOK”)
 - is a tear of the skin and the underlying tissues due
Healing is faster healing is delayed
to forcible contact with a blunt instrument.
- May be produced by a hit with a piece of wood, Caused by sharp edged instrument caused by a blunt instrument
iron bar, fist, stone, butt.
- If the force is applied to a tissue is greater than its
cohesive force and elasticity> the tissue tears and
a laceration is produced. POSSIBLE INSTRUMENTS WHEN USED BY THE ASSAILANT IN
INFLICTING THE INJURIES

Characteristic: 1. contusion – blunt

1. shape and size of the injury does not
correspond to the wounding instrument
2. tear on the skin is rugged with extremities
irregular, ill-defined.
3. injury developed where the blunt force is
applied.
4. borders of the wound are contused and
swollen.
5. developed in areas where the bone is
superficially located.like scalp.
6. examination with the aid of hand lens
shows bridging tissue joining the edges
and hairs bulbs are intact.
7. bleeding is not extensive due to blood
vessels are not severed evenly.
8. healing process is delayed and has a
tendency to develop a scar.
Classification of lacerated wounds:
1. Splitting caused by crushing of the skin between
two hard objects.
Ex: laceration of scalp hit by a bunt instrument, cut
eyebrow of a boxer.
2. Overstretching of the skin
- When pressure is applied on one side of the
bone> the skin over the area will be stretched up
to a breaking point to cause laceration and
exposure of the fractured bone.
- In avulsion: the edges of the remaining tissue is
that of laceration.
3. Grinding compression
- the weight and the grinding movement may cause
separation of the skin with the underlying tissues.
4. Tearing
- this may be produced by a semi-sharped edged
instrument which causes irregular edges on the
wound like hatchet and choppers.
2. incised wound – sharp-edged instrument
3. lacerated wounds- blunt
4. punctured wounds – sharp pointed
5. abrasion – body surface is rubbed on a hard surface
6. GSW – the diameter of the wound of entrance may approximate
the caliber of the wounding instrument.
Could the injury have been inflicted by a special weapon?
A physician cant determine that a specific weapon was used in
inflicting a wound.
It is possible that it is caused by a certain instrument presented.
He must be cautious in giving categoric statements
Which of the injuries sustained by the victim caused death?
If with conspiracy – no need coz the act of one is the act of all.
If none- offenders are only responsible for their individual acts.
If multiple injuries: which of the wound injured a vital organ.
Or if same organ which caused the degree of damage.
GUNSHOT WOUNDS
Death or physical injuries brought about by powdered propelled
substances:
1. Firearm shot
= the injury is caused by the missile propelled by the
explosion of the gunpowder located in the cartridge shell and the
rear of the missile.
2.detonation of high explosives - grenades
= explosion inside the metallic container will cause
fragmentation of the container.
I. FIREARM WOUND
= Firearm : is an instrument used for the propulsion of a projectile by
the expansive force of gasses coming from the burning of gunpowder.
(technical definition)
= includes rifles, muskets, shotguns, revolvers, pistols, other deadly
weapons which a bullet, ball, shell or other missile may be discharged by
means of gunpowder or other explosives.

Lacerated wounds are rarely suicidal. = includes air rifle except of small calibers and limited range.

= the barrel of any firearm shall be considered as a complete firearm

for all purposes thereof.

INCISED WOUNDS LACERATED WOUNDS

Edges are clean cut, regular, well defined edges are roughly cut,
irregular, ill-defined

No contusion or swelling around the swelling and contusion around

the
Incised wounds lacerated wounds

Extremities of the wound are sharp, may be extremities are ill-defined and
irregular
Round, or contused

Examination by means of a hand lens hair bulbs are preserved

Shows that hair bulbs are cut