A wound on the neck of a victim shows undermining of the skin and soft tissues on the right side, with the wound track passing from left to right and downward. The assailant was MOST likely:

• A Facing the victim and right-handed ✓
• B Facing the victim and left-handed
• C Behind the victim and right-handed
• D Behind the victim and left-handed

Explanation

Undermining indicates the direction of the weapon track. If the wound starts on the left side of the neck and undermines rightward and downward with the victim facing the assailant, a right-handed assailant holding the weapon would naturally produce this pattern. The weapon drawn from the victim's left side across to the right with downward slope is characteristic of a right-handed frontal attack.

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

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.