title: Abdominal stab wounds: self-inflicted wounds versus assault wounds.
abstract: Intentional penetrating wounds, self inflicted or inflicted by others, are increasingly common. As a result, it can be difficult for the forensic examiner to determine whether the cause is self-inflicted or not. This type of trauma has been studied from a psychological perspective and from a surgical perspective but the literature concerning the forensic perspective is poorer. The objective of this study was to compare the epidemiology of abdominal stab wounds so as to distinguish specific features of each type. This could help the forensic scientist to determine the manner of infliction of the wound. We proposed a retrospective monocentric study that included all patients with an abdominal wound who were managed by the visceral surgery department at Angers University Hospital. Demographic criteria, patient history, circumstances and location of the wound were noted and compared. A comparison was drawn between group 1 (self inflicted wound) and group 2 (assault). This study showed that the only significant differences are represented by the patient's prior history and the circumstances surrounding the wound, i.e. the scene and time of day. In our study, neither the site, nor the injuries sustained reveal significant clues as to the origin of the wound. According to our findings, in order to determine the cause, the forensic examiner should thus carefully study the circumstances and any associated injuries.
authors.affiliation: LUNAM, University of Angers, France.
authors.forename: Aurélien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Venara
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jousset
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Airagnes
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Arnaud
authors.forename: Clotilde
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rougé-Maillart
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult