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| In
a complex world of weapons, forensic scientists see
hundreds of different wounds causes by weapons other
than guns. For example, blunt trauma,
sharp trauma, asphyxiation,
strangulation
and assault. All of these forms of murder are brutal
and the wounds on the dead body left behind provide
vital evidence of the type of weapon used by the criminal.
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Select a topic from below to read
more:
--> Trauma
--> Asphyxiation
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| Trauma |
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| Blunt trauma
concerns injuries and death caused by blunt objects
such as bats, household ornaments and rocks. If a person
is the victim of blunt trauma, fractures, broken bones
and external bruising are usually strong evidence for
the occurrence of blunt trauma. Sharp trauma refers
to injuries caused by sharp objects, such as knives,
nails and swords. The type of knife wound on the body
can often reveal what type of knife was used. Different
types of knives include double-edged knives, single-edged
knives and serrated
edged knives. Double-edged knives have dagger-like cutting
edges that leave obvious markings of two sharp edges.
Single-edged knives have one sharp edge and often create
wounds that have a boat-like shape. Serrated knives
often give the wound a rough appearance around the edge. |
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| *Kitchen
knives and often bread knives, are a common weapon,
leaving lacerations corresponding to their blade size.
Photo courtesy of www.morguefile.com.
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| Asphyxiation |
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| Asphyxiation is a condition
whereby a lack of oxygen and an excessive amount of
carbon
dioxide causes interference in breathing and
subsequently choking, then eventually death. The most
common cause of asphyxiation occurs in motor vehicles,
where the vehicle's exhaust is channeled into the car,
subsequently suffocating the victim. Strangulation,
another possible form of asphyxiation, leaves marks
or bruising around the neck, whether death was inflicted
manually or using an object. The size and markings on
the wound reveal whether the actions were repeatedly
used and whether the rope or cord was twisted or flatted
out around the neck. Any long, flexible and tough object
is suitable as the weapon for strangulation, many of
which are household items like belts, a telephone cord
or a scarf. |
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