The depth of wound channels of stab wounds of the chest and abdomen as an indicator of the force of a knife strike

Abstract

The length of the wound channel of a stab wound is a morphological feature that can serve as a criterion for assessing the degree of force of a knife strike. A study of 412 stab wounds to the chest and abdomen in 252 homicide cases showed that clothing, bone-cartilaginous structures and the density of internal organs did not affect the depth of immersion of the knife blade in the wound. The wound channel of non-penetrating wounds with a length of less than 6 cm indicates an impact of «moderate» force. The length of the wound channel of penetrating wounds from 6 to 15 cm corresponds to an impact of «middle» force, and over 15 cm corresponds to an impact inflicted with «considerable» force.