MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF

PHYSICAL INJURIES

Physical injury is the effect of some forms of stimulus on the body. The effect may only be
apparent when the stimulus applied is insufficient to cause injury and the body resistance is
great. It may be real when the effect is visible.

The effect of the application of stimulus may be immediate or may be delayed. A thrust to the
body of a sharp pointed edge instrument will lead to the immediate production of a stabwound,
while a hit by a blunt object may cause the delayed production of a contusion.

Cause of Physical Injuries:

A. Physical Violence
B. Heat or Cold
C. Electrical Energy
D. Chemical Energy
E. Radiation by Radio-Active Substance
F. Change of Atmospheric Pressure
G. Infection

A. PHYSICAL injuries brought about by physical violence

The effect of the application of physical violence on a person is the production of wound.

A wound is the solution of the natural continuity of any tissue of the living body. It is the
disruption of the anatomic integrity of a tissue of the body. In several occasions, the word
physical injury is used interchangeably with wound. However, the effect of the physical violence
may not always result to the production of wound, but the wound is always the effect of physical
violence.

Physics of Wound Production

Wound=Kinetic energy x time x area x other factors

2
Kinetic Energy = MV M= Mass V= Velocity
2

Kinetic Energy:

Inasmuch as kinetic energy is based on the mass and velocity factors and that the velocity is
squared, the velocity component is the important factor. This explains why an M-16 bullet which
has a speed of 3,200 ft/sec. will do more damage than a 0.38 caliber bullet which is heavier but
has much slower velocity.
Time:

The shorter the period of time needed for the transfer of energy, the greater the likelihood of
producing damage. If a person is hit on the body and the body moves towards the direction of the
force applied, the injury is less as when the body is stationary. The longer the time of contact
between the object or instrument causing the injury , the greater will be the dissipation of energy.

Area of Transfer:

The larger the area of contact between the force applied on the body, the lesser is the damage to
the body. By applying an equal force, the damage caused by stabbing is greater compared to a
blunt instrument.

“Other Factors”

The less elastic and plastic the tissue, the greater the likelihood that a laceration will result.
Elasticity and plasticity refer to the ability of a tissue to return to its “normal” size and shape
after being deformed by a pressure.

The movement of the parts of the body as a result of the force being applied to them and the local
stretching of tissue during acceleration and decelaration cause most of the internal injuries seen
in traumatized individuals.

A force transmitted through a tissue containing fluid will force the fluid away from the area of
contact in all directions equally, frequently causing the tissue to lacerate. (Legal Medicine
Annual 1980,k Cyril Wecht ed., p.36).

Vital Reaction

It is the sum total of all reactions of tissue or organ to trauma. The reaction may be observed
macroscopically and microscopically. The following are the common reactions of a living tissue
to trauma:

a. Rubor - redness or congestion of the area due to an increase of blood supply as a part of
the reparative mechanism.
b. Calor – Sensation of heat or increase in temperature.
c. Dolor – pain on account of the environment of the sensory nerve.
d. Loss of function – On account of the trauma, the tissue may not be able to fucnction
normally.

The presence of the vital reaction differentiates an ante-mortem from a post-mortem injury.

In the following instances vital reactions or changes may not be observed even if injury was
inflicted during life:
a. If physical injuries are inflicted during the agonal state of a living person.The body cells
or tissue during the period may no longer have the potential capacity to react to the
trauma; and
b. If the death is so sudden as not to give the tissues of the body, the chance to react
properly. This is commonly observed in the deaths due to sudden coronary occlusion.

CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS:

1. As to severity:
a. Mortal Wound – wound w/c is caused immediately after infliction or shortly
thereafter that is capable of causing death.
Parts of the Body where the wounds inflicted are considered Mortal:
1. Heart and big blood vessels
2. Brain and upper portion of the spinal cord
3. Lungs
4. Stomach, liver, spleen and intestine
b. Non-mortal wound – wound w/c is not capable of producing death immediately after
inflection or shortly thereafter/
2. As to the Kind of Instrument Used:
a. Wound brought about by blunt instrument
b. Wound brought about by sharp instrument
c. Wound brought about by tearing force
d. Wound brought about by change of atmospheric pressure
e. Wound brought about by heat or cold
f. Wound brought about by chemical explosion
g. Wound brought about by infection.
3. As to the manner of Infliction:
a. Hit
b. Thrust or stab
c. Gunpowder explosion
d. Sliding or rubbing or abrasion
4. As regards to the depth of the wound:
a. Superficial
b. Deep – penetrating or perforating
5. As regards to the Relation of the Site of the Application of Force and the Location of
injury
a. Coup injury
b. Contre-coup injury
c. Locus Minoris Resistencia
d. Extensive Injury
6. As to the regions or Organs of the body involved:
The wounds of the different organs and regions of the body will be discussed under
“Injuries in various parts of the body “.
 7. Special Types of Wounds:
a. Defense Wound
b. Patterned Wound
c. Self- inflicted Wound

LEGAL CLASSIFICATION OF PHYSICAL INJURIES:

Mutilation

Art. 262, Revised Penal Code:

The penalty of reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon any person who
shall intentionally mutilate another by depriving him, either totally or partially, of some essential
organ for reproduction.

Any other intentional mutilation shall be punished by prision mayor in its medium and maximum
periods.

Kinds of Mutilation Punishable Under the Code.

1. Intentionally depriving a person, totally or partially of some of the essential organs for
reproduction, and
2. Intentionally depriving a person of any part or parts of the human body other than the
organs for reproduction.

Mutilation is the act of looping or cutting off any part or parts of the living body. In order to be
punishable under the Code, it must be intentional, otherwise it will be considered as physical
injury.

Serious Physical Injuries:

Art. 263, Revised Penal Code:

Any person who shall wound, beat or assault another shall be guilty of the crime of serious
physical injuries and shall suffer:

1. Prision mayor – if the injured becomes insane, embicile, impotent or blind.

2. Prision correctional med. and max. –if injured loss the use of speech or power to hear or
smell, or lost an eye, a hand, a foot, an arm or a leg or shall have become incapacitated to
work which the injured habitually engaged for 90 days.
3. Arresto mayor – max. prision correctional min. – if the injury caused illness or incapacity
for labor for more than 30 days.