Detecting microfragments of glass in scar tissues

Abstract

The identification of traumatic causes in the case of damage caused by sharp objects has always been one of the main issues of interest to the investigating authorities. Currently, forensic medicine allows for determining a specific acute traumatic object, including glass fragments. However, in the available literature, no information is available about the possibility of detecting microfragments of glass in the scar. Herein, the case of a man who suffered a chest wound is presented. The patient was brought to the hospital, where the wound was sutured. In the medical records, the wound was described as a stab wound and could have been caused by a knife. The accused categorically denied inflicting a knife wound on this person and argued that the victim was in a state of severe alcoholic intoxication and fell repeatedly, including on a sideboard, glass from which was found during an inspection of the scene. Four months later, the victim died from alcohol poisoning. A forensic medical examination was conducted to confirm the possibility of injury from glass fragments from the sideboard. A scar was identified on the victim’s chest. Microparticles were found in the scar tissue, and their characteristics led to the conclusion that they were microfragments of colorless, transparent glass. Determining the presence of glass microfragments in scar tissue does not require complex technical equipment and are common in wide expert practice; their use has confirmed the possibility of detecting glass microfragments not only in soft tissues along the wound channel but also in scar tissue after wound healing.

Keywords

forensic medical examination / microfragments of glass / scar / possibility of detection / case report

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