ALIE

Butcher’s knife

Identification features

• Metallic frame with wooden handle
• Single edged weapon used to cut meat — Heavy sharp cutting weapon.
• Injuries :
  • Causes Chop wounds, lacerations, incised wounds with metallic frame
  • Contusions and abrasions with handle and blunt edge.
• Medicolegal importance : Mostly homicidal, may be accidental. Suicidal is very rare.

Barber’s Knife

• Identification features
  • A knife with metallic frame
  • Single sharp edge
  • Light sharp cutting weapon
  • The blade can fold into its handle (wooden or plastic)
• Injuries
  • Incised wounds or lacerated injuries bu sharp edge
• Medicolegal importance
  • Mostly accidental or homicidal.
  • Maybe used for hesitation / suicidal cuts and self inflicted wound.
  • Can be involved in fabricated wound.

Sickle

• Identification :
  • It has wooden handle and a curved blade of metal.
  • Inner edge is serrated and concave
  • Outer edge is blunt and convex
  • Moderately heavy cutting weapon
• Injuries :
  • Cutting edge : Irregular lacerated wounds.
  • Tip : Punctured and Penetrating wound.
  • Handle : Abrasion, contusion
• MLI : Homicidal mostly, sometimes accidental. Suicidal are rare.