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Erschienen in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology 3/2018

01.05.2018 | Original Article

Single stab injuries

verfasst von: Michael P. Burke, Yeliena Baber, Zoe Cheung, Mark Fitzgerald

Erschienen in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology | Ausgabe 3/2018

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Abstract

Determining the manner of death in cases involving multiple stab injuries from a knife is generally straightforward. The medico-legal investigation of a stabbing death caused by a single stab injury from a knife comprises a smaller but potentially more problematic subset of forensic cases. We reviewed our institute’s experience with single stab injuries and endeavored to identify features identified at the post-mortem examination which may aid in the differentiation between cases of homicide, suicide and accidental death. The single stab injury was to the left chest in the majority of deaths from homicide and from suicide. Clothing was nearly always involved in cases of homicide, but was also seen in cases of suicide. The knife was found in situ in 9 of the 11 cases of suicide involving a chest injury, but was not seen in any of the cases of homicide. There were no cases of an accidental single stab death from a knife in our records. Clinical data on accidental stab injuries was sought via a search of the medical records of a major tertiary referral hospital. A single non-fatal case of an accidental single stab injury from a knife was identified after the conclusion of our study period. Accidental stab injuries from a knife causing injury or death are rare.
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Metadaten
Titel
Single stab injuries
verfasst von
Michael P. Burke
Yeliena Baber
Zoe Cheung
Mark Fitzgerald
Publikationsdatum
01.05.2018
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology / Ausgabe 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1547-769X
Elektronische ISSN: 1556-2891
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-018-9982-x

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