Forensic Medicine · Mechanical Injuries & Wounds

Bruise Look-alikes: True vs False Bruise & Postmortem Hypostasis

3 min read · Verified by professors

True Bruise vs False Bruise

FeatureTrue BruiseFalse Bruise
CauseTrauma causing rupture of blood vesselsNot due to trauma
Extravasation of bloodPresentAbsent
SwellingUsually presentAbsent
Colour changes with agePresentAbsent
On incisionInfiltration of tissues with blood presentNo infiltration
MicroscopyRBCs infiltrate tissuesNo tissue infiltration by blood
Medicolegal significanceIndicates injuryDoes not indicate trauma

Causes of false bruise

  • Artificial bruises — produced by irritant substances such as marking nut, Calotropis, Semecarpus, and certain plant irritants.
  • Postmortem hypostasis mimicking bruise — may resemble contusion externally; distinguished by absence of tissue infiltration of blood on dissection.