Lacerations: What you need to know!

Lacerations: What you need to know! 

Author: MOUNASHREE AM, MSc Forensic Science, Yenepoya Institute of ASCM

• A laceration is a type of mechanical damage.
• It is due to a blunt force impact that tears or splits tissue.

MECHANISM

• Upon collision, the tissue is compressed and stretched above the elastic limit, resulting in a rip in the skin.
• Unlike incised wounds, there is a break in the continuity of the tissue caused by tearing.

CHARACTERISTICS

• The continuity of the tissue is interrupted because of tearing.
• The wound has three dimensions - length, breadth, and depth.
• Margins are uneven and ragged.
• There could be bruising or crushing of the edges, usually in a small area.
• The depth of the wounds can reveal the underlying blood vessels, nerves, and fragile tissue bridges.
• Tiny, shallow tails at the end of the cuts stem from the main cut are noticed.
• The amount of bleeding from laceration wounds is less compared to incised wounds.
• The shape and size of the injury may not match the tool or instrument used.

TYPES

1. Split laceration

• It is also called an incised-looking laceration.
• A blunt force crushes the skin and soft tissues beneath the impacted area.
• The skin splits as a result of the blunt force.
• It can be evident in the shins, faces, and scalps.

2. Stretch laceration

• It develops when the fixed skin overstretches to the point of rupture.
• A pull combined with a localized pressure induces skin ripping.
• Stretch lacerations can resemble stretch marks. There are various superficial wounds seen in the groin area.

3. Tear laceration

• The skin and subcutaneous tissue are damaged by localized impacts from blunt and heavy forces, causing a tear.

4. Avulsion laceration

• It is also known as a flaying injury or grind laceration.
• Grinding compression of tissues causes the skin to separate from deeper tissues and causes the skin to become less glossy.
• Large areas of the skin and the layer beneath it are detached from the rest of the body.

5. Crush laceration

• The crushing of the tissues beneath is due to the grinding and compression force.
• It could be related to a stretch laceration or avulsion.

6. Cut laceration

• A sharp weapon turned blunt can inflict a laceration.
• Swells and extends a large portion of the skin before splitting open in the middle.
• Trauma-induced tissue bleeding.

MEDICO-LEGAL IMPORTANCE

• One can determine what caused the harm.
• One can discern the kind of laceration.
• It is possible to determine whether it is a minor or severe injury.
• It is possible to determine how old the injury is.
• Determination of the direction of force applied.
• The presence of foreign particles will aid in identifying the weapon used in the incident and its location.

REFERENCES:

BOOKS

• Principles of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology – Rajesh Bardale.

WEBSITES

• https://www.vedantu.com/biology/laceration
• https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/mechanical-injurieslacerationspptx/256941791