A 'defence wound' in a victim of knife attack is MOST likely found at which location, and what does its pattern indicate?

• A Back of the trunk — indicates victim was fleeing
• B Palmar surface of hands and ulnar border of the forearms — indicates victim raised arms to ward off the blade ✓
• C Soles of feet — indicates victim was running barefoot
• D Inner thighs — indicates self-infliction

Explanation

Defence wounds are injuries sustained when a victim attempts to ward off or deflect an attack. In knife assaults, the victim characteristically raises their hands and forearms to protect the face and trunk, resulting in incised wounds on the palmar surface (grasping the blade), fingers, and ulnar aspect of the forearms. Multiple parallel incised wounds on the hands and forearms are the classic pattern. These wounds are an important indicator of homicide rather than suicide (suicidal incised wounds on the wrists are self-directed and in an anatomically accessible area). Back wounds (A) indicate the victim was turned away. Wounds on inner thighs (D) can be self-inflicted but are not classic defence 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.