Between blunt, sharp and hacking trauma: Observing the characteristics of pickaxe injuries
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Pickaxe injuries have never been thoroughly investigated in forensic science. This case, involving the fatal wounding of a 28-year-old individual by pickaxe blows to the head, abdomen, and hand, highlights the unique injury patterns associated with such an instrument. The injuries observed in the frontal skull exhibited characteristics akin to typical chop wounds, while those on the parietal skull bore similarities to blunt force trauma. The pickaxe penetrated the hands and the abdomen, with the depth of penetration directly correlating to the force applied. Consequently, pickaxe injuries can be considered a hybrid of different injury mechanisms, a fact that should be carefully considered in forensic analysis. • In the context of chop wounds, pickaxe lesions have never been described. • In this case several injuries were caused to the head, abdomen and hand with pickaxe blows. • The injuries show overlapping characteristics between different mechanisms. • The injuries are to be regarded as a kind of ‘mix’ of blunt, hacking and sharp force wounds.
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,870
OpenAlex ID: W4402738559