Sequential Injuries and Timing of Injuries - Assignment Example

Sequential Injuries and Timing of Injuries Sequential Injuries and Timing of Injuries Sequential injuries are the injuries or wounds that an individual experiences during his or her entire life. The sequential injuries also include the injuries that might happen or result to the death of a person. The injuries can be both external and internal. The internal injuries affect the bones, brain cells, digestive system or breathing system, while the external injuries are the scratches on the body skin.

Sequential injuries, however, are put into a recognition by the medicine professions. In recognizing the cause of injury, autopsy is carried upon towards the injury. The body is photographically documented. Evaluation of the injury is carefully traced. In the case of injury in vagina, sexual activity kit is needed (Rutty, 2007). X-rays are done on the injuries in order to identify the existence of remained weapons or portions of weapons. An X-ray on the chest can be done to assess the possible air embolism.

After taking x-rays and collecting suitable trace evidence, the body is washed so that the documentation of photography and injuries can take place (Rutty, 2007). For example, sharp force injuries are classified as incised wounds, stab wounds or chop wounds and blunt force injuries produce lacerations. The types of the victims who are categorized with sequential injuries are those subjected to any type of trauma. There are several categories of traumatic deaths classified as mechanical, chemical, electrical or thermal.

Mechanical trauma when a force is exerted on a tissue such as bone or skin. Sharp and blunt force injuries are classified in this category. Chemical trauma refers to destruction and death resulting from the chemical interactions with the person’s body. Thermal trauma results from hyperthermia and hypothermia. Electrical trauma results from electric shocks. Clear photograph of the injury is taken to estimate the wound at perpendicular to the injury with a suitable scale. It is essential in case microscopic findings contradict with the expected era of the injury.

Subsequently, specimen tissues of the wound can be taken from the wound edges or the entire injury excised for more processing (Rutty, 2007). If a large skin surfaces are involved or some parts of the injured tissue are not required to be represented in wound estimation, then the representative samples are supposed to be potted for the rest of the wound if the entire wound was not microscopically analyzed. Samples are put four percent formalin and processed for regular histological analysis namely Estastica van Gieson (EvG), haematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and Perls iron staining.

H & E is for investigating standard histopathological, EvG interprets the elastin and collagen structure while Perls determines iron out or inside of macrophages. Material for analyzing immunohistochemical is treated under the same basis. Frozen material is also suitable but not yet legalized for medical purposes. The conclusion of the wound is not a pure fact because some mechanical manipulation such as scratching may occur most likely on the last phases. Factors that affect would healing include the age, dehydration, hand washing and the type of wound infection.

Older patient usually have deprived wound healing. Collagen replacement and reduced elasticity of the skin influence the healing (Rutty, 2007). Their immune system declines as they get older thus more susceptible to wound infection. Dehydration leads to impaired cellular function and electrolyte imbalance. Different types of wounds infections determine the healing period. Other factors include the type of medication, personal and oral hygiene and nutrition.ReferencesRutty, G. N. (2007). Essentials of autopsy practice: New advances, trends and development.

London: Springer.