Dynamics of stab wounds:​ force required for penetration of various cadaveric human tissues

O’Callaghan, P. T.<sup>1</sup>; Jones, M. D.<sup>1</sup>; James, D. S.<sup>1</sup>; Leadbeatter, S.<sup>1</sup>; Holt, C. A.<sup>1</sup>; Nokes, L. D. M.<sup>1</sup>

Affiliations

¹Medical Engineering Research Unit, UWC School of Engineering, Queens Buildings, The Parade, P.O. Box 685, Cardiff, CF2 3TA, Wales, UK

²Wales Institute of Forensic Medicine, Cardiff Royal Infirmary, Newport Road, Cardiff, UK

Abstract and keywords

It is often said that once the skin has been penetrated no further force is required to produce penetration of underlying tissues. This experimental study has used technology which was not available to earlier investigators to examine this issue in detail. The results confirm the importance of skin penetration but indicate that the penetration of other tissues may also require significant force.

Keywords: Stabbing; Force; Penetration

Links

DOI: 10.1016/S0379-0738(99)00115-2

PubMed: 10581723

WoS: 000083257900010

History

Received: 1999-01-29

Revised: 1999-06-20

Accepted: 1999-08-09

Online: 1999-09-27

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Cited By (25)

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2006	Bohnert M, Hüttemann H, Schmidt U. Homicides by sharp force. In: Tsokos M, ed. Forensic Pathology Reviews. Vol 4. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press; 2006:65-89.
2016	Bolliger SA, Kneubuehl BP, Thali MJ, Eggert S, Siegenthaler L. Stabbing energy and force required for pocket-knives to pierce ribs. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. December 2016;12(4):394-398.
2013	Hainsworth SV. How much force? In: Rutty GN, ed. Essentials of Autopsy Practice: Innovations, Updates and Advances in Practice. London: Springer-Verlag; 2013:151-170.
2012	Tennick CJ. The Identification and Classification of Sharp Force Trauma on Bone Using Low Power Microscopy [PhD thesis]. Preston, UK: University of Central Lancashire; July 2012.
2008	Wong B, Kieser JA, Ichim I, Swain M, Livingstone V, Waddell N, Taylor M. Experimental simulation of non-ballistic wounding by sharp and blunt punches. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. December 2008;4(4):212-220.
2008	Gilchrist MD, Keenan S, Curtis M, Cassidy M, Byrne G, Destrade M. Measuring knife stab penetration into skin simulant using a novel biaxial tension device. Forensic Sci Int. May 2, 2008;177(1):52-65.
2011	Carr DJ, Wainwright A. Variability of simulants used in recreating stab events. Forensic Sci Int. July 15, 2011;210(1-3):42-46.
2013	Ní Annaidh A, Cassidy M, Curtis M, Destrade M, Gilchrist MD. A combined experimental and numerical study of stab-penetration forces. Forensic Sci Int. December 10, 2013;233(1-3):7-13.
2015	Cowper EJ, Carr DJ, Horsfall I, Fergusson SM. The effect of fabric and stabbing variables on severance appearance. Forensic Sci Int. April 2015;249:214-224.
2016	Humphrey C, Kumaratilake J, Henneberg M. A stab in the dark: design and construction of a novel device for conducting incised knife trauma investigations and its initial test. Forensic Sci Int. May 2016;262:276-281.
2017	Benson N, Dos Santos RO, Griffiths K, Cole N, Doble P, Roux C, Blanes L. The development of a stabbing machine for forensic textile damage analysis. Forensic Sci Int. April 2017;273:132-139.
2008	Hainsworth SV, Delaney RJ, Rutty GN. How sharp is sharp? towards quantification of the sharpness and penetration ability of kitchen knives used in stabbings. Int J Legal Med. July 2008;122(3):281-291.
2012	Parmar K, Hainsworth SV, Rutty GN. Quantification of forces required for stabbing with screwdrivers and other blunter instruments. Int J Legal Med. January 2012;126(1):43-53.
2018	Nolan G, Hainsworth SV, Rutty GN. Forces generated in stabbing attacks: an evaluation of the utility of the mild, moderate and severe scale. Int J Legal Med. January 2018;132(1):229-236.
2020	Bolliger SA, Wallace E, Dobay A, Knaute DF, Thali MJ, Barrera V. The cutting edge: an investigation into the pressure necessary for cutting skin with different knife blade types. Int J Legal Med. May 2020;134(3):1133-1140.
2005	Shergold OA, Fleck NA. Experimental investigation into the deep penetration of soft solids by sharp and blunt punches, with application to the piercing of skin. J Biomech Eng. October 2005;127(5):838-848.
2012	Ferllini R. Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of knife stab wounds on fleshed and clothed ribs. J Forensic Sci. May 2012;57(3):683-690.
2013	Nolan G, Hainsworth SV, Rutty GN. Forces required for a knife to penetrate a variety of clothing types. J Forensic Sci. March 2013;58(2):372-379.
2017	Humphrey C, Kumaratilake J, Henneberg M. Characteristics of bone injuries resulting from knife wounds incised with different forces. J Forensic Sci. November 2017;62(6):1445-1451.
2023	Heckmann V, Engum V, Simon G, Poór VS, Tóth D, Molnar TF. Piercing the surface: a mechanical analysis of stabbing with household tools. J Forensic Sci. July 2023;68(4):1218-1227.
1999	O'Callaghan PT. The Biomechanics of Stab Wounds [PhD thesis]. Cardiff University; December 1999.
2022	Hogue M. Effects of Blade Angle on the Force and Work During Sharp Force Trauma of Porcine Ribs [Master's thesis]. Sudbury, ON: Laurentian University; 2022.
2014	Nolan G. Quantification of Forces Involved in Stabbings [PhD thesis]. University of Leicester; August 2014.
2012	Tegtmeyer CE. A Comparative Analysis of Serrated and Non-Serrated Sharp Force Trauma to Bone [Master's thesis]. San Marcos, TX: Texas State University; May 2012.
2012	Ní Annaidh A. The Mechanics of Stabbing: A Combined Experimental and Numerical Study of Sharp Force Injury [PhD thesis]. Dublin, Ireland: University College Dublin; July 2012.