Page 89 - CFDI Guide

BLUNT AND SHARP FORCE TRAUMA INVESTIGATIONS

Deaths and SBI from blunt force trauma in criminal defense are, similar to GSW incidents (a GSW is a blunt

force injury), also likely the most common the CFDI will see. From domestic violence to inter-personal
assault and mutual combat, and incidents involving inciting to intoxication – the blunt force injuries from

hands and feet to instruments related will be at the top. GSWs are blunt force injuries, however excluded
here and separately detailed. Similarly, motor vehicle collisions result in both blunt and sharp force

injuries, and are detailed separately. Other than the instruments used, sharp force injuries typically have
the same circumstances and commonalities, as well as investigative similarities and protocols. Some cases

will have a combination of injuries and classifications, some with multiple actors and others unknown.

The fact a person is deceased or injured from blunt or sharp forced injuries, and the Manner of Death is
homicide, does not mean murder. It does mean a person is deceased or seriously injured as a result of

blunt or sharp forced injuries. To be determined are:
• Were the blunt or sharp forced injuries inflicted by a person or persons, or the consequence of an

event (such as a motor vehicle collision)?
• Did the person inflicting the blunt or sharp forced injuries do so intentionally or negligently / by

accident?
• If intentional, what were the circumstances – pre-meditated, anger, self-defense?

• If unintentional, what were the circumstances – anger, self-defense (as pre-meditated cannot be

unintentional)?

The role of the CFDI in all such investigations becomes as vital as their demonstrated skill and knowledge.
The blunt or sharp forced injuries itself may not answer these questions; however, as many do have a

pattern (patterned injuries), there is additional information to be determined – and excluded. The incident
scene and body (a separate scene) investigation will be the primary points of evidence. Never trust and

always verify – every piece of evidence, every statement, every report, every record, and every

photograph. Each will tell their story and together will be the whole story.

Identification and Assessment

For all blunt or sharp forced injuries the decedent assessment, in context of the incident scene, is of

significant importance. In the review and analysis by the CFDI all official investigation assessments must be
taken into account – law enforcement (first responders and scene detectives), medical examiner

73 | P a g e