SHARP TRAUMA

Ricasso: the squared off base of a knife blade You cannot reliably predict if knife or dagger used based on wound characteristics.

Chop wounds: combination of cutting and crushing with both incised and lacerated characteristics. Cleavers - clean, narrow wounds w/o fractures at entry site; Micro: thin, fine striations Machetes - wider, less-clean wounds w/small fragments of bone at entry site and fractures at bed of cut; Micro: striations course & less distinct Axes - crushing, fragmented wounds with fractures; Micro: no striations on bone.