• Abrasion is one of the most superficial injuries and it means the destruction of the superficial layers of the skin, caused by pressure of fingers/nails/fall on a rough surface, or by being dragged by a vehicular accident. Based on the pattern of the causative force, abrasions can be termed as scratch, grazes, pressure, impact or imprint abrasions. Mechanical momentum means mass with velocity discharged into the human body by a moving object or weapon or it is due to impact of moving body against a surface produces injuries over the body.
• In the first case, the counterforce is provided by the body and in the second case, by the rigidity of the object / weapon / surface / wall against which the victim falls itself or is forced to fall by external reason. In most cases it is seen that the mechanical injuries produced over the body are due to a combination of two above forces.
• The duration of abrasion roughly estimated as fresh when it is bright Red /½ day – 1day – Bright Scab (covering) 2 -3days – Reddish brown covering and on 7th day - Almost normal. The doctor on his evaluation and certification of abrasion helps the legal investigation.
• In throttling cases, crescent abrasions due to fingernails are found in the neck; however, in smothering, abrasions may be seen around the mouth or nose.
• In sexual assaults, abrasions may be found on the breasts, genitals, inside of the thighs and around the anus.
• Abrasions around the face of the assailant indicate a struggle. Abrasions on the victim may show whether the fingernails of the assailant were long, irregular or even broken.
(Contributed by Dr Sudhir Gupta)
No comments:
Post a Comment