There are three types of trauma; blunt force, sharp force, and projectile or ballistic trauma. Blunt force trauma is when something blunt, like a bat, makes impact with the bone; this one are usually not fatal. Now for the sharp force, this one, as with our case, can be fatal. For this type of trauma, I did not know there were categories within this one, three to be exact. The first are incised wounds. These are caused by an object with sharp boarders, like knife. The second are stab wounds. These also are incised wounds, but the difference lies in that there is more depth and penetration, and it does not always have to be a knife to make this sort of wound. The last are called chop wounds. These are made by axes, swords, and the type. These can cause extensive bone damage, like what happened to the humeri and femora. Lastly we have the ballistic trauma. From the name you can infer that it has to do with bullets. For this type of trauma, the wound can leave not much to the imagination because of the way the bullet went in and came out, which will reveal the trajectory.
Next week we are introduced to the principles and practice of biological identification as the identity of the victim is slowly revealed. So that is exciting!
Please feel free to comment on what you thought of the blog, or other physical anthropological subjects you would like me to cover after the weeks are done (three left).