Types of Injuries

Blunt Force Trauma

A type of skin injury where the epidermis of the skin has been removed by friction against a rough surface or due to compression of the epidermis (i.e., scrape).

The thin protective outermost portion of the skin that is visible to the eye.

A type of injury where an area under the epidermis gets hemorrhaged due to the rupture of blood vessels cause by impact with blunt force in that region (i.e., bruise).

Blood escaping from the circulatory system from damaged blood vessels (i.e., bleeding).

A type of injury where the tissue gets torn due to a shearing or crushing force (i.e., tear).

An injury that results in a broken bone.

A type of impact abrasion where the blunt object causing impact or the material between the object and the skin has a pattern that is imprinted onto the skin upon impact.

Sharp Force Trauma

An injury where a heavy instrument with a sharp cutting edge impacts the skin and causes a crushing injury with both sharp force and blunt force injury characteristics.

An Injury inflicted upon an individual when they are attempting to defend themselves against injury from another individual or an instrument. This injury can be blunt or sharp in nature.

A injury where the length of the wound is longer than its depth in the body (e.g., a cut). The edges of this type of injury tend to be straight without abrasions or contusions.

An injury where the depth of the wound is greater than the length of the injury on the skin. The edges of these type of injuries tend to be sharp without any abrasions or contusions.

An injury or incision resulting from a medical procedure.

Firearm Injuries

The site at which a fired projectile penetrates the skin of the individual being impacted and can be identified by its characteristic appearance.

The site at which a fired projectile leaves the body of the individual being impacted and can be identified by its characteristic appearance.

The distance between the firearm’s barrel opening and the impacted site on the body, which can be described as contact, close, intermediate, distant, and indeterminate depending on the distance.

Asphyxia Injuries

A form of strangulation where the person uses a ligature strangulation to enhance one’s sexual arousal during masturbation, often with no intent to cause harm or death.

The situation of an insufficient supply of oxygen being delivered to cells due to gases other than oxygen entering the system and displacing or causing and interference with oxygen intake.

A type of manual strangulation where pressure is applied by an individual placing their forearm across the victim’s neck.

An obstruction of the internal airways due to a blockage by an object or food being stuck, which prevents inhalation during respiration, resulting in asphyxia.

A form of deliberate smothering where the obstruction can be placed outside or slightly inside the mouth and nose to prevent inhalation during respiration.

Pressure applied to the neck by the tightening of the rope or other material by any force other than gravity acting on the body weight.

The application of pressure to the neck applied by hands, arms, or other limbs.

Pressure exerted from the outside of the body that restricts inhalation, hindering the intake of oxygen.

A physical positioning of the body that prevents proper inhalation, causing respiration to be hindered.

A physical obstruction on the outside of the mouth or nose that prevents inhalation during respiration.

The application of pressure to the neck blocking airflow and/or blood flow resulting in asphyxia.

Asphyxia caused by a large object being placed over the chest or the abdomen that weighs down and prevents inhalation hindering respiration.

Environmental Injuries

Swelling caused by an injury or inflammation.

Reddening of the skin or mucous layers caused by increased blood flow to the region’s surface capillaries.

Blood pooling between the skull and the brain caused by excessive heat pushing the blood out of the marrow of the skull via its veins.

Pooling or collection of blood outside of the blood vessels in a body cavity or between tissue layers, causing an increase of pressure in the region.

A form of environmental injury during exposure to hot environments, caused by the body absorbing more heat than can be dissipated, resulting in an increase in body temperature.

A form of environmental injury during exposure to cold environments caused by the body losing heat faster than it makes heat, resulting in in decrease in body temperature.

Narrow, long, and shallow openings in the skin that mimic incisions, caused by  rapid expansion and compression of tissues on the head.

A position in which charred bodies are often found due to heat from the fire causing contraction and flexion of the muscles and tissues in the arms and legs. The limbs are bent and contract towards the head, while the back becomes arched. This mimics a boxing stance, hence the name of the position.