A victim of assault has a wound on the forearm showing an incised wound with a long, shallow channel that slopes at one end. There is no undermining of the edges. This pattern indicates the weapon was:

• A Dragged along the skin (drawn) ✓
• B Directed perpendicularly into the skin (stabbed)
• C Pulled laterally after entry
• D Pressed without any tangential movement

Explanation

When a sharp weapon is drawn across the skin (tangential force), it produces a long, shallow incised wound with one sloping end and no undermining. A stab produces a wound deeper than long with perpendicular entry. Pulling laterally creates undermining on the opposite side. The drawn or tangential mechanism matches this description without undermining.

Reference: Simpson's Forensic Medicine, 13th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.