Sharp Force Injuries

Sharp force injuries are a type of mechanical injury that are commonly encountered in forensic practice. Sharp force injuries encompass essentially three separate, but related injury categories: incised wounds, stab wounds, and chop wounds. Incised wounds and stab wounds account for most of the sharp force injuries observed at autopsy. The depth of the wound track relative to the length of the skin injury distinguishes a stab wound from an incised wound. The objects that cause sharp force injuries are pointed and/or sharp-edged. The objects most frequently involved are knives; however, any object with a point and sharp edge such as scissors, screwdrivers, razors, ice picks, etc. can be used. Chop wounds are encountered less frequently than incised and stab wounds, but are also caused by an object with a cutting edge but one that is heavy, such as an axe, machete, and meat cleaver. Most of the cases of sharp force injuries correspond to homicides and suicides. Accidents are less frequently observed manner of death. The distribution of sharp force injuries observed at autopsy can speak to the manner of death.