(HRI) Defensive Wounds and Visible Marks Lesson

Defensive Wounds and Visible Marks

Defensive wounds are injuries received by the victim of an attack while trying to defend themselves against the assailant. Most of the defensive wounds are on the arms and hands, but some are also found in other areas such as the feet and legs if the victim tried to kick the assailant. Usually, defensive wounds are from sharp weapons like knives, but they can also come from blunt force trauma weapons such as hammers, crowbars or baseball bats. Other examples of defensive wounds include bites, scratches or claw marks.  

Important investigative clues can be gleaned from examination of defensive wounds. The perpetrator's position, type of weapon and amount of force can all be possibly documented from careful study of the wounds. Investigators are also looking for signs of self-inflicted wounds to either indicate suicide attempts or fabrication of a crime. When defensive wounds are found, investigators carefully observe the victim and crime scene for trace evidence such as the assailant's skin cells under the victim's fingernails or any blood drops/smears that may belong to the attacker. Investigators also photograph the wounds and measure them for case documentation. Sometimes information about the attacker such as height, angle and direction of impact can be obtained by examining the wounds; this information can be used to develop a profile about the attacker. It is important to note that it is not always possible to determine very much information about the attacker just by examining the wounds. It is a myth that the attacker's handedness  can be determined from the orientation of the wounds, although some patterns are more common. For example, 88-90% of all people are right-handed, so it makes sense that the majority of stab wounds from the front are on the victim's left side. It can't be assumed that the attacker is right handed, however, because the orientation of the wounds could be related strictly to the position of the attacker during the attack. A left handed assailant who was to the front and right facing the victim could potentially inflict the same wounds as a right handed attacker directly in front of the victim.    

Visible marks are wounds resulting from an attack that can be observed with the naked eye. In Forensic Science, visible marks are important when piecing together a crime sequence when the victim is unable to recount what happened. Visible marks are also an important factor of evidence in court proceedings involving assaults. There are several types of visible mark wounds:

  1. Bruises
  2. Abrasions
  3. Incised Wounds
  4. Lacerations

Interactivity: Visible Marks

Using the presentation below, learn more about visible marks.

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