Directionality and blade width may also be determined in a penetrating knife wound. If a hilt mark is present then directionality can be determined easily, but not all penetrating knife wounds have a hilt mark. To determine directionality, the wound itself can provide that information with careful examination. Manipulating the wound by approximating (pushing together) its edges can define potential blade width and directionality. In this image, the edges have been approximated to show the potential width of the blade and the direction in which it penetrated:
As seen in this image, the wound appearance changes and can therefore provide an incorrect analysis of the blade.
This month we are discussing sharp force trauma. The blog topics for this month are:
- Traumatic injury categories (2/5/16)
- Knife wounds: Characteristics (2/12/16)
- Knife wounds: Patterns (2/19/16)
- Knife wounds: Directionality/Blade Width (2/26/16)
Note: To see all posts in this topic, click here
