EXPLOSIVE INJURIES

BY- E.Himasri Reddy

EXPLOSIVE INJURY (BLAST INJURY):-

DEFINITION:-Is a complex type of physical trauma resulting from direct or indirect exposure to an explosion.

EXPLOSIONS:-Can be –1.Natural 2.Chemical 3.Nuclear 4.Electrical 5.Magnetic 6.Domestic or 7.Mechanical.

In case of Medico-legal practice, the most common are chemical whereas less common are mechanical.

Terrorist bombings some times involves dual explosions.

other explosions:-Letter bomb

Molotov CocktailBooby trap

CLASSIFICATION OF EXPLOSIVES:-

Can be done – by velocity propagation

1.High order explosives 2.Low order explosives - by sensitivity a)primary b)secondary c)tertiary explosives

• A low order explosives burns in a matter of milliseconds & generates a pressure of about 6000 atm. Where as, high explosives rises the pressure upto 2,75,000 atm.

• A low order explosive functions by deflagration.

• A high order explosive functions by detonation.

BLAST WAVE:-Dynamic over pressure.Causes extensive damage to air

filled organs.It has 3 different phases- 1.Positive phase pressure 2.Negative phase pressure 3.Blast windInjuries are mainly due to intial

shock wave, but they are aggravated based on phases.

Intensity of an explosion declines as the cube root of distance from an explosion

BlastsAir blasts

Under water blasts

Solid blasts

SEP 3 2009 BELL430

APRIL17 2004 CESSANA 180 DGCA

CLASSIFICATION OF EXPLOSIVE INJURIES:-

1.Primary blast injuries 2.Secondary blast injuries3.Tertiary blast injuries4. Miscellaneous /Quaternary blast injuriesPrimary blast injuries:--caused by direct effect of blast over pressure.-injuries are due to compressed air which tends to effect the air filled organs

•Secondary blast injuries:- Are due to flying objects generated by the actual blast.

• Tertiary blast injuries:-Occurs when victims are thrown into air & strike to other objects

• Miscellaneous/ Quaternary injuries:--Injuries due to fire or collapse of buildings.-Causes traumatic asphyxia & crush injuries.

Case Investigation

PENTTBOM;FBINIST

NEW YORKSEP 11;2001

DISTRUPTIVE EFFECTS:-

• In immediate vicinity of explosion, the victims body would be blown into pieces & some parts of the body may be scattered over wide areas.

• When at a little distance away from the explosion, the injuries may be limited to the blowing off the head or a limb or mangling of a localized area.

Assassination of former prime minister

Case investigated by CBI.SIT.Assassinator-Dhanu

Trail under TADA Act.

CAUSES OF DEATH:-Pulmonary barotrauma {Blast Lung} is the most common

fatal primary blast injury.It includes conditions like pulmonary contusion, systemic air embolism & free radical associated injuries.

ARDS- may be the result of direct lung injury during explosion / shock from other organ system damage.

Falling derbis or due to haemorrhageBurns Crush syndromeTraumatic asphyxia due to inhalation Of combustion productsDelayed causes like septicaemia

MEDICO LEGAL IMPORTANCE:-Accidental- {domestic LPG/pressure cookers}

Suicidal :- in case of suicidal bombers

JUNE 27 2014

Homicidal:-terrorist activities, passenger air craft explosions.

Operation black tornado26-29/Nov/2008 Mumbai terror

attacks

25 Aug 2007 Hyd {NECB}

Identification of dead assumes greater importance in mass disasters

Blood tests for carboxyhaemoglobin, cyanides & phosphorous may be necessary in closed space exposure or fire related blasts

Radiological examination is also important in evaluating cause of death.

Histopathology may help to detect ARDS,pulmonary contusion or renal failure resulting from crush syndrome

Explosive residues are to be collected for subsequent examination by expert in field of explosives

REFERENCES:-

• Anil AggarwalText book of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology• V. V. PillayText book of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology• K. S. Narayan ReddyThe synopsis of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology• Wikipedia.in.org• Timesofindia.org/clipings