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Exam #3
Sharp Force Injury
35
Criminal Justice
Undergraduate 4
12/04/2011

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Cards

Term
Sharp Force Injury Statistics
Definition
92% of police officer injuries are caused by edged weapons; screw driver = common weapon used
Term
Minimum Safe Distance
Definition
21 feet - if inside 21 feet, a gun can be slapped out of hand, assailant can close gap between him & victim in a sprint very quick
Term
Injuries from Edged Weapons
Definition
Chop/cut, stab, incised
Term
Chop Wound
Definition
Sharp object cuts & divides tissue
Term
Stab Wound
Definition
Wound inflicted is deeper than its length on the skin surface
Term
Incised Wound
Definition
Wound inflicted is longer on skin surface than it is deep
Term
Distinguishing between Homicide vs. Suicide
Definition
1. Multiplicity of injuries present; 2. Area of injury precludes possibility of self-infliction; 3. Self-defense type injuries present on decedent
Term
Top Leading Causes of Homicides in US
Definition
#1 Firearms, #2 Cutting & Stabbing
Term
Homicide Considerations
Definition
Overkill - perp acting in rage, rage - victim & perp knew each other, difficulty killing victim - lack of experience or planning
Term
Suicide Considerations
Definition
Action involving cutting is much more common than stabbing; 1. Location of wound is important, 2. Area involved is accessible to victim, 3. Vital parts of body generally picked for quick death - throat, heart or blood vessels of wrist
Term
Accidental Death Considerations
Definition
Associated w/ plate glass shattering, boat/propeller type incidents, or industrial job incidents
Term
Mechanics of Death
Definition
Air embolism, asphyxia due to blood aspiration, infection
Term
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Definition
Sharp force injury - stab wound
Term
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Definition
Sharp force injury - incised wound
Term
Wrinkle Wounds
Definition
Cutting edge skips from crest to crest of the skin leaving a string of cuts, all of which have resulted from a single slash - occur when the skin is not flat, but instead the skin is in folds
Term
Langer's Lines
Definition
"Lines of Cleavage"; lines of tension or cleavage within skin that are characteristic for each part of the body - correspond clearly w/ crease lines on surface of skin in most parts of body; an incision made parallel to lines appear more linear
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - Langer's Lines
Term
Single-Edged Blade
Definition
Wound will appear w/ sharp edge on 1 end & the blunt square back edge - blunt edge will often show 2 small tears appearing as "rabbit ears"
Term
Double-Edged Blade
Definition
Both edges will have sharp appearance
Term
Serrated Knife Blade
Definition
Usually single edged, not normally distinguished from non-serrated blade unless abrasion left
Term
Blade Thickness
Definition
Can be discerned if blade has passed through cartilage or bone
Term
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Definition
Sharp force injury - single-edged blade
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - stab wound
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - chop wound
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - multiple wounds
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - serrated wound
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - serrated wound
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - serrated wound
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - hilt mark
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - hilt mark
Term
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Definition
Sharp force injury - hilt mark
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - defensive wounds
Term
[image]
Definition
Sharp force injury - defensive wounds
Term
Hilt Mark Injury
Definition
Part of knife that stops hand from sliding down onto blade may cause a contusion around a stab wound if sufficient force was used to thrust weapon into body - examine contusion to see if pattern present to align w/ hilt of particular weapon
Term
Evidence Consideration of Sharp Force Injury
Definition
Trace - close physical contact between victim & perp to have sustained SF injury, examine hands & nails; Clothing - possibility of trace evidence & character & dimension of offending weapon; Blood; Knife tip - broken off when striking bone & may still be in body; Tool mark ID - possible if knife blade has struck bone
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