Chop wounds and limitations of wound interpretation
THE CONTEXT
Chop wounds result from heavy sharp-edged weapons. Their depth and bone defects can indicate how the blow was delivered.
Decomposition and immersion
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In a decomposed body, distinguishing a laceration from an incised wound is difficult.
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When a body is immersed soon after incised wounds, stab wounds or lacerations are inflicted, blood in the wounds is lysed and passes into the water. Whether the injuries were antemortem or postmortem cannot then be determined.
Appearance of chop wounds
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Chop or slash wounds are deep, gaping injuries caused by the sharp-cutting edge of a fairly heavy weapon, such as an axe, hatchet, sword or meat cleaver.
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Wound dimensions correspond to the cross-section of the penetrating blade. Margins are sharp and may show slight abrasion and bruising, with marked destruction of underlying organs.
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A blunt edge produces ragged, bruised margins. Undermining occurs in the direction of the chop.
Depth and bone findings
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If the entire blade strikes simultaneously, wound depth may be uniform. Usually the axe heel strikes first and produces a deeper wound than the toe; the deeper end indicates the assailant's position.
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In the skull, the undermined edge indicates the direction of force, while the slanted edge indicates the side from which force was directed.
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In long bones, fragments loosen on the side opposite the force. Initial impact slices one edge cleanly; removal at a different angle breaks off an irregular fragment on the opposite side, leaving smooth and rough edges.
Major structural injury
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Attacks on extremities may amputate fingers or other parts completely or incompletely, or separate joints.
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Head and trunk wounds usually injure important structures and are fatal. The cranium may be depressed, while an oblique strike may remove a piece of skull.