CRI 174: Special Crime Investigation 1 with Legal Medicine

Module #18 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Lesson title: Physical Injuries Materials:

Student Activity Sheets
Learning Targets: Ballpen
1. Interpret the concept of the Physical Injury.
2. Classify the different Physical Injury, and its implication to References:
investigation Revised Philippine National Police
Operational Procedure. (2013)

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction
Good day to all! We already started discussing specific investigations of crimes, and in our previous
discussion we discussed Investigation of Abortion. Just to recap what we previously discussed, these consist
of the meaning of Abortion, the types and classifications of abortion and procedures in the conduct of abortion
investigation. Today, we will tackle the concept of Investigating Physical Injury. Generally, the conduct of
investigations is focused on the common types of injury and its implications

B.MAIN LESSON

Content Notes and Skill Building

Instruction: Read and comprehend the information provided in this activity and
answer the following questions in the succeeding activities.

Injuries from external violence are due to the force or impact caused by different instruments such as
blunt, pointed or sharp objects. Precisely, this will either result in internal or external injuries such as abrasions,
bruises, wounds and even skeletal injuries.

In death investigation, these various types of injuries will imply different modes on how it was inflicted
and likewise resulted in the death of the victim. The common injuries encountered by the investigator are the
following:
A. Abrasion
Abrasions generally result from violence applied obliquely, which scrapes off the top layer of the skin,
but they can occur from violence directed straight against the body, and may reproduce the shape or the
details of a weapon’s surface. As a rule there is no bleeding. In a favorable case it is possible to decide in
which direction the body received the violence and, with some degree of certainty, what caused the injury.
In general, it is very difficult to determine whether scraping of the epidermis was produced before or

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 CRI 174: Special Crime Investigation 1 with Legal Medicine
Module #18 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

after death, although post mortem drying may leave a characteristic yellow parchment- like appearance.

B. Contusion/Bruises
Contusions or bruises are injuries to the tissues and organs produced by blunt external violence and
result from compression, usually against the parts of the skeleton lying underneath. The most usual type of
contusion is an extravasation of blood; when this is close to the skin it is commonly called a bruise or black-
and-blue mark. In extravasation, the blood comes out into the surrounding tissues and remains there, unable to
get away to the outside or to the body cavities.
If a bruise is found on a dead body, it may be concluded with certainty that the injury was produced
when the victim was alive. At the autopsy it is usually possible to determine whether a contusion has been
produced some time before or in direct connection with the death. However, only a pathologist can distinguish
the livid patterns from bruises found on a dead body. Likewise, contusions may occur at places other than
those where violence was applied.

C. Crushing wounds
Crushing wounds occur most readily, with blunt violence, at those places where the skin is near the
bones. They are characterized by irregular form, gaping and swollen edges to the wound, and often
considerable bleeding into the surrounding tissues.
This type of wound can be detected with a degree of certainty because in deeper lying parts of it the
walls of the wound are uneven and connected by bridges of tissues. When blunt violence is used against the
body, it is possible for vital organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys to be damaged
without any visible external injury.

D. Bone injuries
Bone injuries may result from blunt external violence, for example, directed against the head. If a bone
injury has occurred during life, diffusion of blood is generally found near or around it. Blunt violence against the
cranium may produce a fracture. The direction of the crack may make it possible to determine the direction
from which the violence came.

E. Cutting wound
Cutting wounds have even, sharp edges. When the direction of cutting is across the direction of the
fibers of elastic tissue, the wound gapes; when the direction of cut is parallel to the fibers, the edges of the
wounds generally lie against one another. Often it is difficult to decide whether a cutting wound occurred during
life or after death because contusion injuries, which may form a guide in such cases, are not found around the
wound.

F. Stab wounds
Stab wounds are generally produced by a knife, dagger, or scissors, but may also result from other
weapons, e.g., an ice pick, awl, pointed stick, and similar items.
When stab wounds are produced by a weapon with a blunt point, the outer wound is smaller than the
cross-sectional width of the instrument. In such cases, when the weapon is driven into the body, the elastic
skin is actually pressed inward and stretched until it breaks. When the weapon is withdrawn, the skin returns to
its normal position and the external wound contracts.
A suicide attempt by stabbing is generally in the region of the heart or, in some cases, in the stomach
or other parts of the body. It is often found that a number of stab wounds are concentrated in a small limited

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 CRI 174: Special Crime Investigation 1 with Legal Medicine
Module #18 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

region of the body.

G. Defense Injuries
Self-defense wounds are often found on the hands and arms of the murder victim. If a knife was used,
the insides of the hands may be badly gashed from gripping the blade of the knife. Stab and cut wounds may
be produced on the arms and hands when a victim attempts to parry an attack.

Stab wounds may be

1. Suicidal:
a. It is located over the vital parts of the body
b. It is usually solitary
c. If located on covered parts of the body, the clothings are not involved
d. The stab wound is accessible to the hand of the victim
e. The hand of the victim is smeared with blood
f. The wounding weapon is firmly grasped by the hand of the victim
g. If stabbing is accompanied with slashing movement, the wound tailing abrasion is seen towards the
hand inflicting the injury
h. A suicide note may be present
i. There is the presence of a motive for self-destruction
j. No disturbances in the death scene, wounding instrument is found near the victim
2. Homicidal:
a. Injuries other than the stab wound may be present
b. Stab wound may be located in any part of the body
c. Usually there are more than one stab wound
d. There is a motive for stabbing
e. There is disturbances in the crime scene
Medical Evidence showing intent of the offender to kill the victim:
a. There are more than one stab wounds
b. The stab wounds are located in different parts of the body or on parts of the body where vital organs
are located
c. Stab wounds are deep
d. Stab wound with serrated or zigzag borders infers alternative thrust and withdrawal of the wounding
weapon to increase internal damages
e. Irregular or stellate skin defects may be due to changing direction of the weapon with the portion of
the instrument at the level of the skin as the lever.

Puncture wound maybe Homicidal or Suicidal

Medical Evidence that tend to show it is Homicidal:

1. It is multiple and usually located in different parts of the body
2. The wounds are deep
3. There are defense wounds on the victim
4. There is disturbance in the crime scene
Proof to show it is Suicidal:

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 CRI 174: Special Crime Investigation 1 with Legal Medicine
Module #18 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

1. Located in areas of the body where the vital organs are located
2. Usually singular but may be multiple but located in one area of the body
3. Parts of the body involved is accessible to the hand of the victim
4. Clothing usually is not involved
5. Wounding is made by the weapon while the victim is in a sitting or standing position.
6. No disturbance of the crime scene
7. Presence of suicide note
8. Wounding instrument found near the body of the victim

LEGAL CLASSIFICATION OF PHYSICAL INJURIES

1. MUTILATION (Art. 262 RPC)

Kinds of mutilation:
a. Intentionally depriving a person, totally or partially of some of the essential organs for reproduction.
b. Intentionally depriving a person of any part or parts of the human body other than the organs for
reproduction.
Mutilation to be punishable it must be intentional or not physical injury

MAYHEM – is the unlawful and violent deprivation of another of the use of a part of the body so as to render
him less able in fighting, either to defend himself or to annoy his adversary.
Vasectomy/Tubal ligation is not mutilation and a legitimate method of contraception despite the fact that
it is done intentionally and deprives a person of his power of reproduction.

2. SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURIES Art. 263 RPC

Any person who shall wound, beat or assault another Art. 263 and administering injurious substances, without
intent to kill Art. 264.

The main purpose of dividing the provision into four paragraphs

a) Is to graduate the penalties depending upon the nature and character of the wound inflicted
b) Their consequences on the person of the victim.

1. Prison mayor – because of the physical injuries inflicted, the injured person becomes insane, imbecile,
impotent or blind.
2. Prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods
- loss of speech, hear or smell
- loss of eye, hand, foot, arm, leg
- loss of the use or incapacitated for the habitual work he used to do.
3. Prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods.
- person injured shall be deformed.
- lost any other part of the body, incapacitated
4. Arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correctional
- If the physical injuries shall have caused the illness or incapacity for labor for more than 30 days.

The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall not be applicable to a parent who shall inflict physical injuries

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 CRI 174: Special Crime Investigation 1 with Legal Medicine
Module #18 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

upon his child by excessive chastisement. RA 7610. It may be committed through simple negligence or
imprudence.

ADMINISTERING INJURIOUS SUBSTANCE OR BEVERAGES Art 264 RPC

Elements:
1. The offender inflicted upon another any serious physical injury,
2. There is knowledge that the substance or beverage administered is injurious Or took advantage of the
victims weakness of credulity.
3. There is no intent to kill on the part of the offender.

LESS SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURIES Art. 265 RPC

Any person who shall inflict upon another physical injuries not described in the preceding articles,
- But which shall incapacitate the offended party for labor 10 days or more
- Or shall require medical attendance for the same period Both of which is 10 days but not more than 30 days
and there must be proof of it.

The crime of less serious physical injuries may be qualified and a fine of a higher penalty is imposed when:
1. There is a manifest intent to insult or offend the injured person.
2. There are circumstances adding ignominy to the offense.
3. The victims is the offender’s parents, ascendants, guardian, curators, teachers.
4. The victim is a person of rank or person of authority, provided the crime is not direct assault.

P.D. 169 Obligation imposed on Physicians treating persons suffering serious and less serious physical injuries
required to report to law enforcement agencies.

SLIGHT PHYSICAL INJURIES Art 266 RPC

1. Arresto menor- when the offender has inflicted physical injuries which shall incapacitate the offended party
for labor form 1 to 9 days or shall require medical attendance of the same period.

2. Aresto menor or fine not exceeding P200 and censure when the offender has caused physical injuries which
do not prevent the offended party from engaging in his habitual work nor require medical attendance.

3. Arresto menor in its minimum period or a fine not exceeding P50 when the offender shall ill treat another by
deed without causing any injury.

If there is no evidence to show actual injury or incapacity for labor or period of medical attendance, the
accused can only be guilty of slight physical injuries.
So a tender slap on the face, holding the arm tightly, application of pressure in some parts of the body
or mild blow which show no sign of physical violence may still be considered

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 CRI 174: Special Crime Investigation 1 with Legal Medicine
Module #18 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Skill Building Activities.

This is to gauge yourself(self-assessment) something on what you’ve learned

in the discussions. Answer first the questions before proceeding at the KEY
TO CORRECTIONS. Write your score on the space provided.

1. According to the complainant, he was assaulted by five guys. After examining the body of the
complainant, there was no clear evidence that force or violence were used against him. The
report suggested that there were only incised wounds found on his wrist and that the wounds
presented hesitation marks. As an investigator, how will you assess the statement of the
complainant?

To assess the complainant's statement of being assaulted by five individuals, I would examine the consistency of
their account, evaluate the nature of their injuries (incised wounds with hesitation marks), search for
corroborating evidence, consider alternative explanations for the injuries, and conduct further interviews with the
complainant. This comprehensive approach is crucial for determining the credibility of the complaint and
understanding the circumstances surrounding the incident accurately.

2. Was the complainant assaulted based on the scenario above? or did other events transpire?
defend your answer.

The scenario presents uncertainty regarding whether the complainant was assaulted by five individuals or if other
events occurred. While the complainant alleges assault, the absence of clear evidence of violence, coupled with
the presence of wounds with marks, suggests another explanations such as self-harm or accidental injury. A
comprehensive investigation, including further interviews and examination of evidence, is required to determine
the true cause of the complainant's injuries and the sequence of events accurately.

3. Mr. A was beaten up badly, and because of that, he lost vision in one of his eyes. The
assailant of Mr. A will be liable for what crime?

If Mr. A got beat up bad enough to lose vision in one eye, that's serious stuff. The person who did it could be
looking at charges like assault causing grievous bodily harm or even aggravated assault, depending on the
severity of the beating and the laws in that place. Losing vision in an eye definitely falls under the category of
serious harm, so the assailant could be in big trouble.

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 CRI 174: Special Crime Investigation 1 with Legal Medicine
Module #18 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________
Check for Understanding
This is a self-evaluation activity to
determine your understanding of the topics presented by answering the
questions honestly. Write your answer on the box provided the opposite of the
question. Write legibly and no erasures allowed.
Score: _____/10

1. These are wounds often found on the hands and arms of the
victim. Defense wound
2. This type of wound can be detected with a degree of certainty
because in deeper lying parts of it the walls of the wound are Crushing wound
uneven and connected by bridges of tissues
3. These are injuries to the tissues and organs produced by blunt
external violence and result from compression, usually against Contusion/Bruises
the parts of the skeleton lying underneath.
4. This wound involved the scrapping of the superficial layers of Abrasion
the skin.
5. The type of defense injury that involved the phalanges. Active defense injury

C. LESSON WRAP-UP

Summary
Physical injuries include those caused by mechanical trauma, heat and cold, electrical discharges,
changes in pressure, and radiation. Mechanical trauma is an injury to any portion of the body from a blow,
crush, cut, or penetrating wound. The complications of mechanical trauma are usually related to fracture,
hemorrhage, and infection. They do not necessarily have to appear immediately after occurrence of the injury.
Slow internal bleeding may remain masked for days and lead to an eventual emergency. Similarly, wound
infection and even systemic infection are rarely detectable until many days after the damage. All significant
mechanical injuries must therefore be kept under observation for days or even weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are examples of physical trauma? Physical trauma is a serious injury to the body. The two
main types of physical trauma are: Blunt force trauma: when an object or force strikes the body, often resulting
in concussions, deep cuts, or broken bones. Penetrating trauma: when an object pierces the skin or body,
usually creating an open wound.

2. What is considered serious physical injury? Serious physical injury means physical injury that

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 CRI 174: Special Crime Investigation 1 with Legal Medicine
Module #18 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

creates a reasonable risk of death or that causes serious or permanent disfigurement, serious impairment of
health or loss or protracted impairment of the function of any bodily organ or limb.

Thinking about Learning

Now, kindly mark your place in the work tracker by encircling the corresponding number. This
work tracker will help you see how much work you have accomplished and how much work is left
to do.

Answer Key
1. Defense wound
2. Crushing wound
3. Contusion/Bruises
4. Abrasion
5. Active defense injury

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