THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN LACERATIONS AND CUTS IN LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS

In contrast to skin wounds the characteristic forensic features of les ions of ligaments and tendons have rarely been investigated, However, in a suspected homicide the question became crucial whether an isolate d discontinuity of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane was caused by a rupture mechanism or by a cut, In order to reevaluate the associ ated criteria experimental lesions were made in ligaments and tendons and examined histologically. From these experiments the following crit eria could be established: Lacerations exhibit complete destruction of the tissue texture with microruptures and splitting of fibres in the adjacent region, Such wound edges have an irregular structure and fibr es near the rupture site exhibit variable thicknesses due to traction. Incisions exhibit smooth wound edges with no disturbance of the tissu e texture. The thickness of fibres near the rupture site is regular. T hese results were obtained by light microscopical examination and conf irmed using electron microscopy, Under controlled experimental conditi ons the forces necessary to rupture tendons with a diameter of I mm va ried between 50-70 Newton (N). In the suspected homicide, the lesion o f the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane was examined visually and h istologically and was compared with the experimentally established cri teria. Based on these criteria the lesion could be identified as an in cision which had probably been caused accidentally while severing the medulla during the first autopsy and was therefore not connected with the cause of death.