Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume 14, Issue 1 , Pages 31-34, January 2007

Retained intra cranial blade – medicolegal perspectives

  • B.L. Bhootra

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationTel.: +27 15 287 5430/83 442 1655; fax: + 27 15 292 6939/287 5436.

Department of Health, Limpopo Province and University of Limpopo (Polokwane Campus), P.O. Box 1944, Polokwane 0700, South Africa

Received 21 October 2005; received in revised form 12 November 2005; accepted 20 November 2005.

Abstract 

A fatal case of a homicidal penetrating head injury by retained blade of knife is reported. The blade of knife penetrated the skull bone after breaking from a knife handle and remained lodged in the intracranial cavity for 5 days resulting in death from intracranial bleeding and brain oedema. The need of proper and complete examination of the head injury and its medico-legal importance is emphasized.

Keywords: Penetrating head wound, Retained blade, Intra cranial bleeding

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PII: S1353-1131(05)00209-9

doi:10.1016/j.jcfm.2005.11.011

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume 14, Issue 1 , Pages 31-34, January 2007

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