stab wounds

 Character of the knife

 Relative position of the assailant
to the victim
 Width of the knife
 Length of the knife (?)
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 The length of the wound is the width of the knife

 The length of the wound may be longer than the

width of the knife but it could never be shorter

 In the presence of a HILT MARK, the depth of the

wound is the length of the knife

 In the absence of a hilt mark: “ I cannot tell you

how long is the knife but I can tell you how not
short is the knife!”
 In the presence of a HILT
MARK, the depth of the
wound is the length of
the knife

 In the absence of a hilt mark:

“ I cannot tell you how long is the
knife but I can tell you how not short is
the knife!”
 Oblique  Horizontal

 Not so deep  Deep

 Test or Hesitation cuts  Defense wounds may

present be present
 Facing a mirror
 Lying on the ground
 Cadaveric spasm with
hand grasping the  Weapon is usually
weapon absent or hidden
elsewhere
 Blood in front of the body,  Blood at the back of the neck,
hands smeared with blood hands are clean

 SUICIDE NOTE  none

 History of mental depression,  History of recent altercation

domestic or financial usually following a drinking
problem… spree

 Prior history of self-  No prior attempts on his own

destruction life

 Stomach - empty  Alcohol

 Relative position of the assailant to the victim
when the first injury was inflicted

 Testimony of the witness

 Trajectory or course of the wound inside the body

 Organs involved and extent of injuries sustained

by the victim

 Presence of defense wounds

 Offender may still be held liable for the death of the
victim if it can be proven that death is inevitable and that
even without the operation, death is the normal and direct
consequence of the injuries sustained.

It must be shown that the physician treating the victim

is competent and that he exercised care and diligence.

That the wound inflicted must be the direct and

proximate cause of the death.
 If death occurred from complications arising from a
simple injury owing to the negligence of the injured
person in its proper care and treatment, the offender is
still held responsible.

 A person is not bound to seek medical attention for the

injuries sustained.

 The fact that the victim would have lived had he received
treatment is immaterial!