FSC239Y5 Lecture Notes - Blunt Trauma, Cardiac Tamponade, Coronary Vasospasm
Document Summary
Evidence of injury is a major part of the forensic autopsy report. All recent injuries whether minor or major, external or internal, should be described in this section. Excluding gunshot and stab: external and internal injuries. Traumatic deaths are due to: mechanical-blunt, sharp trauma and firearm. Blunt force injury: refers to injuries caused by blunt instruments: rocks, bricks etc. Abrasions: damage to the superficial layer of the skin (epidermal: scrape abrasions, brush burn abrasion: large surface area, impact (pressure) abrasions: force perpendicular, patterned abrasion: the pattern of the tool is imprinted, scratch: pointed instrument (fingernails) Contusions: an area of bleeding into the skin or soft tissue as a result of rupture of vessels due to blunt force injury or pressure: hematoma: change in color as hemoglobin is broken down. Estimating the time of injury: extent and severity depends on the amount of force applied, site of contusion does not necessarily correspond with the impact point.
