Articles in the Forensic medicine Category
Biochemistry, Forensic medicine »
Carboxyhemoglobin is the product formed by the combination of carbon monoxide and hemoglobin. It is produced in red cells when a person inhales carbon monoxide. It does not have the capacity to transport oxygen. Large quantities of carboxyhemoglobin in blood can lead to death.
Forensic medicine »
Antemortem blisters are mostly produced during burns.
Features of antemortem blisters:
surrounded by an area of hyperemeia
floor is reddened with swelling of papillae
Postmortem blisters (blisters of putrefaction) are formed 18-24 hours after death due to putrefaction and production of gases which force blood, air to liquid fat into the superfical layers of skin forming blisters. They are found first in the lower surface trunk and thighs where there is more fluid collection due to hypostatic edema.
Features of postmortem blisters:
no surrounding hyperemeia
floor is not reddened
Forensic medicine »
Localised swelling of the skin containing a pocket of fluid collected in the upper layers of the skin. Blisters can be produced by burns. Post mortem blisters are formed by production of gas during putrefaction.
Forensic medicine »
Fresh – bright red
12-24hrs – Bright scab (by drying of blood and lymph)
2-3 days – reddish brown scab
4-7 days – brownish black scab
>7 days – scab falls off leaving a depigmented area which slowly gets pigmented
Forensic medicine »
It is a wound with damage to the skin (epidermis and dermis) mostly involving upper layers of epidermis. It is of various types -
Scratch
Graze
Pressure abrasion
Impact abrasion
Forensic medicine »
It refers to the flammable liquids used in warfare, especially jellied gasoline. It can be used for producing incediary bombs.
Forensic medicine »
Gas which is leaked may explode in air at concentrations of 5-15%. The ignition may be due to candles or sparks. This produces a momentary fire and nearby flammable objects can catch fire.
Injuries produces:
Superficial burns
Singeing of hair
Person can get blown away and sustain blunt force trauma
Death can occur as a result of getting trapped in a burning building which may collapse.
Forensic medicine »
The position of the injured person relative to the bomb can be estimated by assessing the pattern of injuries on the person.
explosion at ground level – injures to legs and feet
bomb in front of person – injures ot face, chest, upper limb, thighs
person in contact with bomb (the person carrying the bomb) – the person may be blown to pieces
Forensic medicine »
bruises (contusions)
abrasions
punctured lacerations
Forensic medicine »
A bomb explosion produces a shockwave that is composed of a high pressure wave followed by a negative pressure wave. Pressure exceeding 700 kilopascals (100lb/sq inch) is necessary to produce serious injury to the body.
person can be thrown away due to the force of the blast, causing blunt force trauma
shockwave passing through the body mainly injures non homogenous tissues like lung, whereas homogenous tissues such as liver and muscle are spared
Blast lung: Injury to the lung produced as a result of the shockwave passing through the body
subpleural patchy hemorrhages
rupture of …
