In a case of penetrating stab wound to the chest, the wound track is examined at autopsy. The entry wound shows clean, well-defined margins with a square or rectangular cross-section. This finding is MOST consistent with which type of blade?

• A Single-edged knife (one sharp edge, one blunt edge)
• B Serrated bread knife
• C Screwdriver (square/flat tip)
• D Double-edged dagger (both edges sharp) ✓

Explanation

A double-edged (dagger-type) blade produces a wound with both ends pointed/sharp, resulting in a spindle-shaped entry with two sharp angles. A single-edged knife leaves one end sharp and one end blunt/split (fishtail end). A square/rectangular cross-section wound track indicates the instrument was non-blade with a flat face — a screwdriver or similar tool. The question's 'square cross-section' description corresponds to a screwdriver, not a double-edged dagger which produces spindle-shaped wounds.

Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.