ABSTRACT
The pathologist, by describing in detail the appearance of injuries produced aims to assist in the identification of the nature and size of the implement used and advise on the force, as well as angle of impact including the reaction and movement of the victim during the time the injury or injuries are sustained. An important point that should immediately be appreciated about tracks of wounds into the body, is the difference between the depth of a wound track and its length. Length is the distance travelled inwards from the skin and can be shallow or deep, depending on the angle of entry. The shape of wounds on the surface and underlying tissue, for example from the use of a knife, may vary significantly when there are a number of wounds depending on how the weapon is used and the dynamics involved during the assault.
