Medico-Legal Aspects of:

S Y PH

L A IC

U J IN

S E RI

PHYSICAL INJURIES

The effect of some form of stimulus on the body from within or without Real when the effect is visible Apparent when stimulus is not enough

VITAL REACTIONS:

rubor dolor

calor functio laizza

CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS AS TO SEVERITY mortal: brain, heart, lungs, big vessels, upper spinal cord, stomach, liver, spleen, intestines
non-mortal: those injuries which are not capable of producing death immediately or shortly thereafter

AS TO KIND OF INSTRUMENT USED:

BLUNT INSTRUMENT - contusion - hematoma - laceration

SHARP INSTRUMENTS:

Sharp-edged INCISED WOUND

Sharp-pointed PUNCTURED WOUND

Sharp-edged-pointed STAB WOUND

Change of atmospheric pressure (BAROTRAUMA) q Tearing force (LACERATED WOUNDS) q Heat or Cold (BURNS, SCALD, FROSTBITES) q Chemical explosion (GUNSHOT or SHRAPNEL) q Infection

AS TO THE MANNER OF INFLICTION:

HIT

THRUST STAB

GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION

SLIDING RUBBING ABRASION

AS TO THE DEPTH OF THE WOUND:

Superficial

Deep

Penetrating PerfOrating

AS TO THE SITE OF APPLICATION OF FORCE IN RELATION to LOCATION OF INJURY

Coup Contre coup Coup-contre-coup Locus minoris resistencia Extensive injuries

MEDICAL CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS:

CLOSED WOUND - no breach in the continuity of the skin or mucous membrane Petechiae, contusion, hematoma Sprain, dislocation, fracture, strain Internal hemorrhage OPEN WOUND - with break in the continuity of the skin or mucous membrane. Abrasions scratch, graze, impression mark, friction mark Incised, hacked, stab, lacerated, punctured,

SPECIAL TYPES OF WOUNDS

PATTERNED WOUNDS
The wound assumes the shape of the offending instrument ex: belt buckles tire marks radiator grill

DEFENSE WOUNDS

Wounds sustained by the victim while parrying the thrusts of the assailant in an attempt to defend himself Always found on the extremities of the victim

HESITATION CUTS or TEST CUTS

Found commonly among suicide victims. Usually found on the area where the mortal cut is located.

SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS (MOTIVES):

To create or deliberately magnify an existing injury or disease for pension or workmens compensation. To escape certain obligations or punishment. To create a new identity or destroy existing one. To gain attention or sympathy. Psychotic behavior*

psychotic behaviors of self-mutilation:

Head banging or bumping

thermophilia Pricking of acne erruptions Trichotillomania

Castration Or amputation Bruxism Subcutaneous injection of air

Onychophagia Self disfigurement

legal classification of physical injuries

Art. 262 Mutilation

Art. 263 Serious Physical Injuries

Art. 264 Administering Injurious Substances and Beverages

Art. 265 Less Serious Physical Injuries

Art. 266 Slight Physical Injuries

Art. 252 Physical Injuries inflicted in a Tumultuous Affray

ART. 262 - MUTILATION

Kinds: 1. Intentionally depriving a person totally or partially of some of the essential organs for reproduction 2. Intentionally depriving a person of any part or parts of the human body other than the organs for reproduction

ART. 263: SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURIES

by WOUNDING, BEATING or ASSAULTING another, if in consequence, the injured: A. Shall become insane, imbecile, impotent or blind; B. Shall have lost the use of speech, or the power to hear or to smell, or shall have lost an eye, a hand, a foot, an arm or a leg or shall have lost the use of any such member, or shall have become incapacitated for work in which he was theretofore habitually engaged;

C. Shall have become deformed, or shall have lost any other part of his body, or shall have lost the use thereof, or shall have been ill or incapacitated for the performance of the work in which he was habitually engaged for a period of more than ninety (90) days; D. Shall have caused the illness or incapacity for labor of the injured person for more than thirty (30) days.

ART. 264 ADMINISTERING INJURIOUS SUBSTANCES OR BEVERAGES:

Any person who without intent to kill, shall inflict upon another: - any serious physical injury - by knowingly administering any injurious substance or beverage - by taking advantage of the victims weakness of mind or credulity

ART. 265 LESS SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURIES

Shall incapacitate the offended party for labor ten (10) days or more or shall require medical attendance for the same period Qualified if the injuries shall have been inflicted with manifest intent to insult or offend the injured person, or under circumstances adding ignominy to the offense. or the victim is the offenders parents, ascendants, guardians, curators or teachers; or a person of rank or in authority

ART. 266: SLIGHT PHYSICAL INJURIES AND MALTREATMENT

By inflicting physical injuries which shall incapacitate the offended party for labor from one to nine days, or shall require medical attendance for the same period; by inflicting injuries which do not prevent the offended party from work nor require medical attendance; by ill-treating another by deed without causing injury

ART. 252 :

PHYSICAL INJURIES INFLICTED IN A TUMULTUOUS AFFRAY

When serious physical injuries are inflicted upon the participants thereof, and the person responsible therefor cannot be identified, all those who appear to have used violence upon the offended party shall suffer the penalty next lower in degree than that for the physical injuries so inflicted if of less serious nature arresto from 5 to 7 days.