Physical activity following fatal injury from sharp pointed weapons

Cases of suicide from sharp pointed weapons (n = 12) witnessed by one or mo n persons are reported with regard to the potential for physical activity, One case each involved the ulnar artery, the great saphenous vein and the p eriphery of the lung and liver and the physical activity following these in juries lasted for several hours. In one case, the left carotid and vertrbra l arteries were transected and the physical activity lasted for approximate ly 10 s, An extraordinary case involved a protracted incapacitation due to heart tamponade from a small myocardial injury caused by a cannula. In the remaining seven cases, a stab wound to the heart was present. With regard t o the physical activity, a long-term group (2-10 min, n = 4) can be differe ntiated from a short-term group (appoximately 10 s, n = 2) and one case of immediate incapacitation. The size of the myocardial perforation was 7-10 m m in length in the long-term group compared to 1.4-2 cm in the short-term g roup. So small perforations of the heart or incisions of the carotid artery offer a potential for considerable physical activity. Large perforations o f the heart or a transection of the carotid and vertebral arteries can resu lt in short-term activity.