Medico-Legal Questions in

Intracranial Injuries
1. Is the origin of the intracranial hemorrhage due to trauma or
disease?
2. In cases of cerebral concussion, can the victim remember the
incidents before, during or after the accidents?
3. Can the victim of head injuries still retain voluntary movement and
speech?
4. Is the person under the state of post-traumatic automatism?
5. In gunshot wounds of the head, how can the point of entrance be
determined?
6. Is the victim of a head injury suffering from post-traumatic
irritability?
•
Face
a. Eye- subconjunctival, haemorrhage
b. Nose- fracture, epistaxis, facial deformity
c. Ear- tympanic membrane rupture-temporary/permanent
deafness, haemorrhage
d. Mouth- contusion, laceration, swelling, fracture of lower jaw
Neck

• Ligature marks by hanging/strangulation

• Incised wounds- homicidal or suicidal
• Asphyxia, pneumonia, haemorrhage, shock are most common causes
of death
Vertebral Column and Spinal Cord

• a. Fracture of the Vertebrae

Direct Violence
Indirect Violence
b. Concussion of the spine
INJURIES IN THE CHEST
Injuries to the Chest Wall

• Lacerated wounds
• Stab wounds
• Bullet wounds
• Fracture of the ribs
Injuries to the Lungs

• Hemorrhage in the pleural cavity

• Compression of the lungs
• Severe Pneumothorax
• Cerebral air embolism
• Subcutaneous emphysema
Injuries to the Heart
• Wounds
• Coronary insufficiency, myocardial fibrosis, valvular lesion or
tamponade
• Foreign bodies
• Tearing of the heart
• Rupture of the heart
ABDOMINAL INJURIES
• Stomach
• Intestinal injuries
• Liver
• Spleen
• Kidney
• Pancreas
Pelvic Injuries
• Pelvic bones
• Bladder
• Uterus (gravid/non-gravid)
• Vagina
Extremities