Analysis of injuries to determine the cause and mechanism of injury by penetrating abdominal trauma from firearm and stabbing in forensic medicine

Abstract

Introduction: One of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide is penetrating abdominal trauma, with different impact approaches in the regions. Among the devices most commonly used in these practices are firearms and sharp weapons, causing great concern about the rate of increase of these violent cases; there is often increased use of sharp weapons due to their high availability in homes and sites of recurrence, however, the use of firearms has been increasing by the entry of these into the country by Organized Crime Groups (GDO). It is essential to study the lesions and injury mechanism to provide a correct clinical record, report writing, to testify before a judge, and there is also a just conviction in the trials in which the Forensic Physician is involved. Objectives: General: Analyze the different penetrating abdominal injuries, as well as their mechanism of action, in victims of violence by sharp weapons and firearms. Specifics: Consolidate information through research and search in high-impact databases to provide a tool for Criminology and Forensic Science professionals. Define the devices commonly used in these criminal acts, as well as correlate this information with data from major conflict areas worldwide. Methodology: Through a systematic search in databases and scientific journals, including PUBMED, PMC, ELSEVIER, The Cochrane Library Plus, NCBI, The Lancet Global Health and UpToDate, the aim was to develop a descriptive study based on an updated and structured literature review.  Results: In the first half of 2024, in Ecuador, there were 2,595 homicides committed with firearms and weapons. The firearm may cause an entry, trajectory and exit orifice or sometimes the projectile remains at the level of some internal anatomical structure. Injuries caused depend on speed, distance and the weapon used. Blunt weapons can cause sharp, stabbing, contusive, short-stabbing wounds. The most frequently affected organ at the abdominal level was the small intestine. Conclusions: The detailed description of injuries is essential for the development of justice, so it is important to study these both for the Criminalistics and Forensic Sciences staff as well as for the emergency room staff of hospitals that often carry out the reception of these cases, Bearing in mind that the most commonly used devices for criminal offences are revolvers, medium-speed and high-velocity projectile weapons, as well as pointed instruments which may cause injury. General Area of Study: Criminalistics. Specific area of study: Legal Medicine. Type of study: Bibliography Review.