In a homicide case, the victim has a chop wound on the scalp inflicted by a heavy cutting weapon (machete/heavy knife). Which feature distinguishes a chop wound from a simple incised wound?

• A Clean cut margins without bruising
• B Crushing of soft tissues and underlying bone damage ✓
• C Wound longer than deep
• D Hesitation marks at the wound ends

Explanation

A chop wound is produced by a heavy weapon with a sharp edge (machete, axe, kirpan), combining the characteristics of a sharp and blunt injury. It produces deep, clean cut soft tissues with associated bruising and crushing, and often underlying bone fractures or grooves. Simple incised wounds lack bone damage. The combination of a sharp edge with heavy impact causes this pattern.

Reference: Practical Forensic Medicine, 3rd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.