Defence wounds

• Grasping the weapon can produce cuts or stab wounds on the hand.
• Raising the arms to shield the head, face, or trunk produces injuries on the forearms and upper limbs.
• Their type depends on the weapon: sharp weapons cause incised/stab wounds; blunt weapons cause abrasions, bruises, or fractures.

• Palmar or grasping surfaces of hands, especially fingers and thumb
• Ulnar border of forearm
• Dorsum of hand/palm when protecting the face
• Raised arms and shoulders
• Occasionally legs or back, depending on body position and method of resistance

• Strongly supports an assault, commonly a homicidal attack.
• Indicates the victim was conscious, aware of danger, and capable of resistance.
• May help infer the direction/nature of assault and weapon used.
• Absence does not exclude homicide: wounds may be absent if the victim was asleep, unconscious, intoxicated, restrained, hands tied, suddenly attacked, or physically unable to resist.
• Examine wrists and arms carefully for restraint bruises; hand wounds may be obscured after rigor mortis if the fingers are flexed.