Chapter 11 - Wound Pattern Analysis

Abstract

This chapter presents various aspects of wound pattern analysis which includes types of wound, physical origin of wounds, and motivational origin of wounds. Types of wound include blunt force trauma, burn, sharp force injury, and therapeutic and diagnostic wounds. It is found that wound patterns originate from a variety of intentional and accidental sources. In some cases, the source may be readily apparent or inferred by the distinctive pattern of the wound and the distinctive nature of the environment the wound was received in. It is suggested that once the nature and physical origin of a wound pattern have been determined, it may be possible to make an assessment as to the general motivation for inflicting that wound. Wound pattern analysis relies on competent, thorough documentation of injuries, as well as the same for the environments in which any injuries occurred. It is important to establish the motivation and intent of an injury in its context, which means determining whether the injury was accidental or intentional.