Topic: Forensic examination of injuries and wounds; Examination of blood and seminal stains
Question: Differentiate between 1.Chop wounds and Lacerated wounds. 2.Antemortem burns and post mortem burns
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1. Chop wounds and Lacerated wounds
Chop wounds:
– Caused by a heavy sharp cutting instrument like an axe or sword.
– The edges are clear cut, regular and show imprints of the weapon.
– Bleeding is profuse due to clean severing of vessels.
– Little bruising and tissue damage is seen.
– Healing is good if treated promptly.
Lacerated wounds:
– Caused by irregular blunt objects like machines, nails, etc.
– Edges are irregular, uneven and shredded.
– Bleeding may be less as vessels get crushed and thrombosed.
– Extensive bruising, crushing and tissue damage is seen.
– Healing is slow due to tissue loss.
2. Antemortem burns and Postmortem burns
Antemortem burns:
– Occur when person is alive.
– Show vital reaction like inflammatory changes, blistering, charring etc.
– May show signs of healing if survived for few days.
– Characteristic burns smell due to burnt hair, clothes and flesh.
Postmortem burns:
– Occur after death.
– No vital reaction observed.
– No blistering, minimal charring of surface tissues only.
– Penetrates deeper as there is no vital resistance.
– No smell of burnt hair or flesh.
