Definition
A laceration produced over areas where the skin is closely applied to bone may resemble an incised wound.
Common sites
- Scalp
- Forehead
- Zygoma
- Iliac crest
(These are sites where the subcutaneous tissue is scanty.)
Why it resembles an incised wound
- Skin is split against underlying bone.
- Margins appear linear.
- External appearance may be clean-cut.
Differentiation from a true incised wound
| Feature | Lacerated-Looking Incised Wound | True Incised Wound |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Blunt force | Sharp force |
| Margins | Irregular on close examination | Clean-cut |
| Tissue bridges | Present | Absent |
| Bruising/Abrasion | Present | Usually absent |
| Hair bulbs | Crushed | Cleanly cut |
| Foreign matter | May be present | Usually absent |
| Bleeding | Less | More |