Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Unusual Incised Stab Wound Produced by a Single Edged Weapon: A Case Report


Affiliations
1 District Police Surgeon, General Hospital, Ernakulum, Kerala, India
2 Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India
3 Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Stab wound examination yields valuable information about the weapon. Some amount of information about the hilt can also be obtained at times. In this case of murder by stabbing, the cutting edge of the (single edged) blade had a blunt portion (ricasso) adjacent to the handle and the hilt was projecting beyond the cutting edge. The ricasso had modified the sharp cut end of the stab wound and the blunt end of the knife had produced fish tailing. These events had altered the external appearance of the wound in such a way that the end which corresponded with the sharp edge of the knife looked blunt and the other end looked sharp. However, despite the confusing appearance of the skin wound, the actual orientation of the blade could still be determined from the hilt bruise.

Keywords

Boat Mark, Cutting Edge, Fish Tailing, Guard, Hilt, Incised Stab Wound, Penetrating Wound, Ricasso, Single Edged Knife, Square Edge, Stab
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Lyn-Sue J, Siram S, Williams D, Mezghebe H. Epidemiology of trauma deaths in an urban level- 1 trauma center predominantly among African Americans—implications for prevention. J Natl Med Assoc. Dec 2006;98(12):1940-4.
  • Karch DL, Dahlberg LL, Patel N, Davis TW, Logan JE, Hill HA. Surveillance for violent deaths— national violent death reporting system, 16 States, 2006. MMWR Surveill Summ. Mar 20 2009;58(1): 1-44.
  • Ambade V.N., Godbole H.V. Comparison of wound patterns in homicide by sharp and blunt force. Forensic Science International January 2006; 156 (2), 166-170
  • Singh VP, Sharma BR, Harish D, Vij K., A critical Analysis of Stab wound on the Chest. A Case Report. JIAFM, 2004; 26(2). ISSN 0971-0973
  • Sauko P., Knight B. The Pathology of Wounds. Knight’s Forensic Pathology. 3rd ed., Arnold Publishers, London; 2004 p 157-158
  • Lew E., Matshes E. Sharp Force Injuries. Forensic Pathology Principles and Practice. Elsevier Academic Press, Burlington, USA 2005 p 143-162
  • Umadethan B. Mechanical Injuries. Forensic Medicine 1st ed., CBS Publishers New Delhi; 2011 p 158

Abstract Views: 545

PDF Views: 2




  • Unusual Incised Stab Wound Produced by a Single Edged Weapon: A Case Report

Abstract Views: 545  |  PDF Views: 2

Authors

Biju James
District Police Surgeon, General Hospital, Ernakulum, Kerala, India
Ajay Balachandran
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India
Anu Sasidharan
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
U. K. Ramakrishanan
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
T. N. Prem
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
Thomas Jerry
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India

Abstract


Stab wound examination yields valuable information about the weapon. Some amount of information about the hilt can also be obtained at times. In this case of murder by stabbing, the cutting edge of the (single edged) blade had a blunt portion (ricasso) adjacent to the handle and the hilt was projecting beyond the cutting edge. The ricasso had modified the sharp cut end of the stab wound and the blunt end of the knife had produced fish tailing. These events had altered the external appearance of the wound in such a way that the end which corresponded with the sharp edge of the knife looked blunt and the other end looked sharp. However, despite the confusing appearance of the skin wound, the actual orientation of the blade could still be determined from the hilt bruise.

Keywords


Boat Mark, Cutting Edge, Fish Tailing, Guard, Hilt, Incised Stab Wound, Penetrating Wound, Ricasso, Single Edged Knife, Square Edge, Stab

References