Study note

Stab-wound abrasions and measurement of wound length

THE CONTEXT

The position of a hilt abrasion can reflect the angle of stabbing, while skin stretching and weapon movement affect measured wound length.

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A downward knife strike produces a mark prominent above the stab wound; an upward strike produces abrasion below it.

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In oblique wounds, a knife striking from the right produces abrasion on the right, and a strike from the left produces abrasion on the left.

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The suspected knife should be examined for compatibility between its handle and the shape of the abrasion around the wound.

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Because of skin stretching, stab-wound length is slightly less than the width of the weapon at the level to which it penetrated.

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Bring the wound edges together before measuring its length.

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Deliberate lateral, forward or backward movement during withdrawal widens the wound and can make its length exceed the blade's maximum width.

NEETx

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