⚖️ Behavioral Science & Ethics🔴 ApplicationInjuries of Neck

Cut-Throat Wounds

Incised wounds of the neck, whose features help to decide whether they were self-inflicted, homicidal or accidental.

Key points

A cut-throat wound is a deep incised injury of the neck that can divide large vessels and the airway.
In suicidal cut-throat, the wound is usually high on the neck, runs from one upper side downward, and shows hesitation cuts.
In homicidal cut-throat, the wound is often lower, deeper and more horizontal, and may be joined by defence wounds on the hands.
The direction and the tailing of the wound suggest whether the attacker stood behind or in front, and the likely handedness.
Death may follow from severe bleeding, from air entering the neck veins, or from blockage of the airway by blood.

Memory trick

Cut-throat: suicidal is high, slanting from one upper side, with hesitation cuts; homicidal is low, deep and horizontal with defence wounds; death from bleeding, air embolism or a blocked airway.

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⚖️ Behavioral Science & Ethics🔴 ApplicationInjuries of Neck

Cut-Throat Wounds

Incised wounds of the neck, whose features help to decide whether they were self-inflicted, homicidal or accidental.

Key points

A cut-throat wound is a deep incised injury of the neck that can divide large vessels and the airway.
In suicidal cut-throat, the wound is usually high on the neck, runs from one upper side downward, and shows hesitation cuts.
In homicidal cut-throat, the wound is often lower, deeper and more horizontal, and may be joined by defence wounds on the hands.
The direction and the tailing of the wound suggest whether the attacker stood behind or in front, and the likely handedness.
Death may follow from severe bleeding, from air entering the neck veins, or from blockage of the airway by blood.

Memory trick

Cut-throat: suicidal is high, slanting from one upper side, with hesitation cuts; homicidal is low, deep and horizontal with defence wounds; death from bleeding, air embolism or a blocked airway.

All of Forensic Medicine More Behavioral Science & Ethics