Injury Interpretation
Description
Age(eg elderly), gender, colour, wound (site, size, shape, surrounds. colour, contours, course, contents, borders, classification, depth)
NOTE: Do not comment on size unless it is measured
Site: Anatomical position (eg superior, anterior), reference to bony landmarks
Bruises: area of haemorrhage beneath skin due to blunt force trauma
· Petechial – Venule rupture (strangulation, raised vascular pressure, vomiting/ coughing, large valsava (prolonged labour))
· Imprint – pattern of implement
· Tram line – parallel bruises and central pallor
· Yellowing – older bruise (>18h, due haemociderin production. Other colours may be anywhere from 1h post to resolution)
Abrasion
· Disruption of outer layers (epidermis) of skin
· Does not penetrate past epidermis thus no bleeding
Laceration
· Splitting or tearing with full thickness penetration of skin caused by blunt trauma
· Foreign material, profuse blood loss, fibrous tissue bridges
Incision
· Wounds with regular clean edges caused by a sharp object
· Often deep structures involved
· Minimal damage to surround tissues (no bruising)
Self inflicted
· Superficial
· Avoid sensitive parts
· Parallel or grouped
Stab wounds
· depth greater than length, produced by a sharp object
· Bleeding often minimal
· clean edges
Source
A/Prof Amanda Dennis 2014
Age(eg elderly), gender, colour, wound (site, size, shape, surrounds. colour, contours, course, contents, borders, classification, depth)
NOTE: Do not comment on size unless it is measured
Site: Anatomical position (eg superior, anterior), reference to bony landmarks
Bruises: area of haemorrhage beneath skin due to blunt force trauma
· Petechial – Venule rupture (strangulation, raised vascular pressure, vomiting/ coughing, large valsava (prolonged labour))
· Imprint – pattern of implement
· Tram line – parallel bruises and central pallor
· Yellowing – older bruise (>18h, due haemociderin production. Other colours may be anywhere from 1h post to resolution)
Abrasion
· Disruption of outer layers (epidermis) of skin
· Does not penetrate past epidermis thus no bleeding
Laceration
· Splitting or tearing with full thickness penetration of skin caused by blunt trauma
· Foreign material, profuse blood loss, fibrous tissue bridges
Incision
· Wounds with regular clean edges caused by a sharp object
· Often deep structures involved
· Minimal damage to surround tissues (no bruising)
Self inflicted
· Superficial
· Avoid sensitive parts
· Parallel or grouped
Stab wounds
· depth greater than length, produced by a sharp object
· Bleeding often minimal
· clean edges
Source
A/Prof Amanda Dennis 2014