Suicidal, Homicidal and Accidental Wounds

Key points

• • The manner of an injury (suicidal, homicidal or accidental) is judged from the site, direction, number and pattern of the wounds and from the surrounding circumstances.
• • Suicidal cut wounds are typically on accessible sites such as the front of the wrist or the neck, often with shallow tentative hesitation cuts beside the deep one.
• • Homicidal wounds are often multiple and deep, and may be placed anywhere, including sites a person could not easily reach on themselves.
• • Defence wounds on the palms and forearms show that the victim tried to ward off an attack and support, but do not by themselves prove, injury by another person.
• • Accidental wounds fit the account of the accident and usually lack the hesitation or defence patterns.