title: Spectrophotometric and tristimulus analysis of the colors of subcutaneous bleeding in living persons.
abstract: In forensic activities the estimation of the age of subcutaneous bleeding is very important. The evaluation of color, however, will vary according to differences of light-source, observer, size, background and so forth. The colorimetric methods using a spectrophotometer can effectively evaluate skin discoloration. In this study, the tristimulus and spectrophotometric patterns of color changes of skin bruises were examined among eight Japanese adult men volunteers wounded by a sharp pinch on the inside of the upper arm and forearm. From a series of color changes among the subjects, the tristimulus data and the spectral reflectance graphs showed variable patterns that made a comparison of absolute numerical values by a single measurement meaningless. Therefore, if we use colorimetric methods in a practical case, we should measure bruises in the same lesion twice or more at intervals of 1 or 2 days.
authors.affiliation: Division of Forensic Medicine, Department of Public Health and Forensic Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Seiryo-machi 2-1, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. yajima@forensic.med.tohoku.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yukihito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yajima
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nata
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Funayama
mesh_terms: D003124:Colorimetry; D003288:Contusions / Q000473:pathology*; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013053:Spectrophotometry