ABSTRACT
Traumatic tattoos result from the accidental deposition of pigmented particles within the dermis. Dirt, carbon, asphalt, and other substances are deposited in the dermis and result in black or blue pigmentation of the skin depending upon the depth of embedment. The mechanism of entry for the foreign particles is abrasive or explosive trauma. The abrasive tattoos are more common and occur secondary to friction with a road surface such as a fall from motorcycle or bicycle and automobile accidents. The most frequent sites of particulate deposition in abrasive trauma include face, forehead, chin, hands, and knees. The explosive type of traumatic tattoos involve blast injury with firecrackers, firearms, dynamite, and bombs as the source. The explosive deposits are commonly found on the face, around the neck, and hands (Figure 1). The explosive force typically results in a deeper deposition of particles at the foci of the explosion with more superficial particles being embedded circumferentially (1,2).
