Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
Year : 2000, Volume : 1, Issue : 2
Online ISSN : 0972-8074. CD ISSN : 0972-8066. Published online : 2000 July 20.
Abnormally delayed healing of a bruise - A case report
P.K. Paliwal, B.L. Sirohiwal*, Reader, Pal Vijay, N. Agarwal, D.R. Yavav
*Corresponding author: Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India
Abstract
Bruise is defined as the extravasation of blood in the tissues as a result of blunt force impact to the body. Usually about two weeks' period is required for healing of bruises under normal conditions. This is widely mentioned in the currently literature. In the present case however, the bruises were well discernible even after 49 days of its production! This case proves that a medicolegal expert must base his opinion regarding the age of bruise with great care. It has rightly been said in medico-legal practice "The things are not always what they appear to be".
Abstract (German, Deutsch)
Quetschung wird als das extravasation des Bluts in den Geweben resultierend aus stumpfer Kraftauswirkung zum Körper definiert. Eine Periode normalerweise ungefähr zwei Wochen wird für das Heilend der Quetschungen unter normalen Bedingungen angefordert. Dieses wird weit in der aktuell Literatur erwähnt. Im anwesenden Fall jedoch, waren die Quetschungen gut sogar nach 49 Tagen seiner Produktion wahrnehmbar! Dieser Fall prüft, daß ein medicolegal Experte seine Meinung betreffend ist das Alter der Quetschung mit großer Obacht gründen muß. Es ist mit Recht in der medico-zugelassenen Praxis gesagt worden, "welches die Sachen nicht immer sind, was sie scheinen, zu sein".
Case History
A 35 year well built male alleged that on 25.6.98 he was assaulted, by some persons with lathis (blunt wooden rods used in India for beating and other criminal activities) and axe etc. He was medico-legally examined at a peripheral hospital. The Medical Officer opined that all the injuries were caused by blunt weapons. The victim was however not satisfied with his opinion. To get a second opinion, he knocked the doors of the court. Therefore on judicial orders he was referred to the department of Forensic Medicine PGIMS, Rohtak on 13.8.98 for re-medical examination. Earlier Medicolegal Report dated 25.6.98 showed three oblique lacerated wounds on the scalp, one lacerated wound on the right knee and multiple bruises on the back with rail road pattern.
Examination on 13.8.98 revealed that the lacerated wounds were completely healed and were showing regular clear margins. So the dispute regarding the weapon of offence was sorted out on examination. But coincidentally the bruises which were noted down by Medical Officer at the peripheral hospital were still persisting with a hue of light brownish colour which clearly indicated that the site of bruise was the same as that one observed by the medical officer at the peripheral (district) hospital. So the most amazing thing was in this case that the bruises were present even after 49 days of their infliction.
