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Here are the chop wound images from the forensic medicine textbooks:

Chop Wounds - Forensic Medicine Images

Definition: Chop wounds (also called slash wounds) are deep, gaping wounds produced by a blow from the sharp-cutting edge of a heavy weapon - axe, hatchet, sword, dao, meat cleaver, or machete. The wound dimensions correspond to the cross-section of the penetrating blade portion.

Fig. 8.35 - Decapitation and Chop Wound (Face)

Fig. 8.35: Decapitation and above a chop wound

Extensive chop wound involving the lower face, showing the deep gaping nature with marked tissue destruction - characteristic of a heavy cutting weapon. Source: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 36th ed.

Fig. 8.36 - Chop Wound on Back of Neck

Deep chop wound to the posterior neck region. Note the typical features: sharp margins, deep penetration, and the gaping nature of the wound. Most such wounds are homicidal. Source: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 36th ed.

Fig. 8.37 - Cut Injury of Skull (Diagram)

Fig. 8.37: Cut injury of the skull - wide gap anteriorly caused by heel of axe in frontal attack

Diagram of skull cut injury. The wider gap anteriorly is caused by the heel of the axe during a frontal attack - this asymmetry helps determine the position of the assailant. Source: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 36th ed.

Fig. 6.32 (A & B) - Chopping Wounds from Machete (DiMaio)

Fig. 6.32 A and B: Chopping wounds of head from machete - note incised-like nature with cutting of underlying bone

(A) Multiple machete chop wounds on the face/head - note the clean, incised-like margins (linear, sharp-edged) despite being inflicted by a heavy weapon. (B) Close-up showing the depth of penetration and cutting of underlying soft tissue and bone. Source: DiMaio's Forensic Pathology, 3rd ed.*

Key Features of Chop Wounds (for exam/reference)

Feature	Detail
Weapon	Heavy sharp-edged: axe, dao, machete, cleaver, sword
Wound margins	Sharp, may show slight abrasion/bruising at edges
Depth	Deep; wound dimensions correspond to blade cross-section
Underlying tissue	Marked destruction; bone may show clean cut on one side, rough fracture on other
Undermining	Occurs in direction of chop
Heel vs toe	Heel (lower end) strikes first - deeper end indicates assailant's position
Nature	Mostly homicidal; common sites - head, face, neck, shoulders, extremities
Key distinction	Incised wound of skin + comminuted fracture/groove in bone = chopping weapon

The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 36th edition (2026)
DiMaio's Forensic Pathology, 3rd Edition

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