Forensic Autopsy of Blunt Force Trauma. This hit can result in a contusion or concussion or both. 2nd ed. Resuscitative efforts may cause injuries to the body that may be confused with injuries that cause death. 35(3):397-404. [1, 2, 3, 4]. In the assessment process, a comprehensive physical examination should be performed alongside imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans. It can cause complete or partial collapse of a lung. Blunt cardiac injury: emergency department diagnosis and management. 1991 Sep. 50(2):227-38. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. A physical examination revealed tenderness and ecchymosis over the anterior chest wall. [2], Finally, artifacts resulting from drying of the tissues after death, postmortem injuries, or insect activity may mimic antemortem blunt force trauma. The Single Most Effective Productivity Tip From 22 Experts. Blunt force trauma is the medical term for a blunt object hitting the body with minimal or no penetration of the skin. Within 2 days after a fracture has occurred, an acute inflammatory response occurs at the site of the fracture. Forensic Pathology: Principles and Practice. The autopsy showed that an artery burst in his neck and that he died from brain hemorrhage caused by blunt force trauma. Respiratory blunt force trauma symptoms include. All of those things are factors, yes; the two most important ones being force and location. Blunt force trauma is routinely involved in cases classified as accidents, as well as in cases of suicide and homicide. does the amount of blood circulate in a body is same before and after amputation? Regardless of the cause or severity of the trauma, prompt and effective management is essential to minimize the adverse effects. Forensic Pathology. Blunt Force Trauma is a critical hit to the head or body and often occurs when struck by zombies or by players wielding melee weapons. However, it is possible to identify certain characteristics of the resulting wound which allow a group of potential weapons to be identified. Additionally, there was evidence of free fluid in the abdomen, consistent with a retroperitoneal hematoma. Standard imaging studies used to diagnose blunt trauma include: X-rays use electromagnetic radiation to produce images of the bodys internal structures, including bones. Blunt trauma can be classified into three main types: contusions, abrasions, and lacerations. All of that being said, however: While cervical spine injuries can be debilitating, they can be ameliorated by muscles associated with the damaged structures. There can also be skull fractures or penetrating trauma. 12 More answers below Marty Grof Vanezis P. Interpreting bruises at necropsy. Kobe Bryant, others died in an instant due to blunt trauma, autopsy into helicopter crash reveals A celebrity figure across the globe, Bryant had to be identified by his fingerprints after his body was found in the dirt outside the wreckage of the chopper. The CT scan revealed multiple pelvis fractures, including a fracture of the pubic rami (the bones that form the pelvis) and a fracture of the sacroiliac joint (the joint between the sacrum and the ilium bones). Blunt Force Trauma. Proper treatment and management of trauma are crucial in ensuring the best possible outcome for those who have sustained a blunt trauma injury. The number and type of objects that can potentially be used in a crime to inflict blunt force trauma on a victim is almost immeasurable. A CT scan revealed significant pelvic and abdominal bleeding, and the man was taken to the operating room for an immediate laparotomy. Generally, one may examine tissue from a suspected blunt force injury for two reasons: (1) to identify a lesion as a true antemortem lesion and (2) to attempt to date a blunt force injury. There are two primary paths to death when whacking someone over the head: trauma to the brain, and trauma to the spine. Blunt trauma can occur anywhere on the body and can result from various causes. When generating the autopsy report, it is often best to divide the description of injuries into subsections for the head and neck, trunk, and extremities. In another study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, hockey players are at an increase in sustaining upper and lower body injuries, including bruises, strains, and fractures. This case demonstrates the importance of laboratory tests in evaluating patients with blunt trauma. Yet another factor affecting the severity of blunt force injuries is the amount of time the body and the impacting object are in contact. In general, the more repair present, the older the wound. Blunt trauma to the chest can occur from motor vehicle accidents, falls, and physical assaults. In general, a somewhat lighter object traveling at high speed will cause more damage than a heavier object traveling at low speed. At the time of injury, the patient and family should be educated on using safety devices during sports and other high-risk activities. Whereas other forms of traumatic death (eg, gunshot wounds, sharp force injuries) occur under a relatively limited number of circumstances, deaths resulting from blunt force trauma occur in a variety of scenarios. (There are also secondary paths to death, such as blood loss or infections associated with lacerations of the scalp, face or neck.). Black CJ, Busuttil A, Robertson C. Chest wall injuries following cardiopulmonary resuscitation. [15, 16, 17, 19] In addition, aggressive CPR, especially if performed by an inexperienced healthcare provider, may result in injury, including contusions and lacerations, to internal organs. 2007 May. The trapped air prevents the lung from re-inflating. These injuries result from impact of the skin by a heavy object with a somewhat sharp facet, causing a wound that has attributes of both sharp force and blunt force trauma. Chapters 4-5. 28(2):107-10. Morley EJ, English B, Cohen DB, Paolo WF. Abrasions are often seen in cases of falls, especially in children and elderly individuals. You may have no signs or symptoms, or you may have bruising, pain, or soreness. MRI scans use magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the bodys internal structures. He complains of pain and swelling in his right arm. Based on the findings, the man was diagnosed with a radius fracture due to blunt trauma from the fall. What Are Some Famous People With Aspergers Syndrome? Extensive fractures involving the base of skull. Blunt chest trauma is a sudden, forceful injury to your chest. Also, if a body is severely burned in a motor vehicle collision or explosion, then radiographs may be warranted to ensure that there are no bullets or other important evidence within the body. Mongolian spot on the buttocks. Some examples include speech problems, internal bleeding of the brain, chronic headaches, loss of vision, loss of taste, loss of smell, comas, etc. rev2023.4.17.43393. When approached with this line of questioning, it is best to acknowledge that the weapon in question could have caused the injuries (if this is indeed true) but not to definitively say that the weapon did cause the injuries. Blunt damage that can kill to the chest should be limited to 7.62, Slugs, Buckshot (Damage depends on armor rating/material). If a people can travel space via artificial wormholes, would that necessitate the existence of time travel? Ecchymosis on the right hand associated with intravascular catheter placement. Solid-organ blunt abdominal trauma includes most commonly the liver, but also the spleen, and kidneys. Blunt trauma can induce myocardial lesions by several mechanisms: (1) direct transfer of energy during the impact on the thorax; (2) rapid deceleration of the heart; and (3) compression of the heart between the sternum and the spine. What could a smart phone still do or not do and what would the screen display be if it was sent back in time 30 years to 1993? It is also the 6th leading cause of death worldwide. Furthermore, a chest CT scan revealed a small amount of pericardial fluid and a small pneumothorax. Forensic Autopsy of Blunt Force Trauma. Any one of these injuries is sufficient to cause death. If the lesions occur relatively close to the time of death, they may ooze bloody fluid, imparting a hemorrhagic appearance that mimics antemortem abrasion, as seen in the images below. The CBC showed an elevated white blood cell count, a sign of inflammation or infection. After the brain has been removed, wedge-shaped cuts are made into the anterior fossae in order to remove the orbital plates. Another example is a bruise on the arm from falling and hitting a hard surface. For example, a person who is kicked in the chest may have only minimal injuries to the elastic skin surface, whereas deeper, more solid tissues such as ribs and internal organs (notably, the spleen and liver) may experience fractures and lacerations. Blunt force trauma to the head happens when the cranium is hit by a hard object. Therefore, one would not want to be cornered into saying that an injury could only have been caused by one such object (eg, a bat), when in reality it was caused by a bloody piece of lumber found at the scene. When a person suffers blunt force head trauma, symptoms may develop immediately or manifest slowly within a few hours, days, or even weeks. What is meant with the chest wall and lungs are coupled together? Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas; 2006. These iatrogenic artifacts include oral contusions/lacerations resulting from intubation; skin and soft tissue hemorrhage resulting from intravascular catheter placement (see the image below); abrasions resulting from defibrillation; bladder mucosal hemorrhage resulting from the placement of Foley catheters; and rib fractures caused by compression during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A common question from lawyers and other interested parties is whether a particular surface or weapon could have caused the injuries seen at autopsy. That is, a description of a laceration on the scalp should be followed by that of any deeper scalp hemorrhage, then associated skull fractures, then associated intracranial hemorrhages and any traumatic injuries to the brain. Abraded contusion on the back. 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