Medical: Medically Injury is defined as, any discontinuity or breach in the anatomy of the body.Legal: Legally, as per section 44 the Penal Code, 1860, Injury is defined as any harm caused illegally to a person i.e. to his body, mind, reputation or property.

Hurt: Bodily pain, disease or infirmity to any person as a result of criminal violence. Hurt is of two types; e.g.Simple hurt: It may be defined as one which neither serious, nor complicated and heals up easily without leaving any permanent disfiguration or deformities; e.g. abrasions. Grievous hurt: Any hurt which endangers life or which causes the victim to be in severe bodily pain or unable to follow his ordinary pursuit for a period of 20 days.

According to section 320 of the Penal Code, 1860, the following injuries are grievous:Emasculation, i.e. deprivation of muscularity of person either by castration or by cutting off the male organ (penis),Permanent privation of either eye,Permanent privation of the hearing of either ear,Privation of any member of joint, Destruction of permanent impairing of the power of any member of joint, Permanent disfiguration of the head or face, Fracture or dislocation of a bone or tooth.

Medical classification:(a) Wounds caused by hard blunt weapon or fall on the ground (blunt injuries) Abrasion or scratches, Bruises or contusions, Lacerated wounds,Fractures and dislocations. (b) Wounds caused by sharp cutting or sharp cutting pointed weapons Incised wounds,Punctured or stab wounds; it again of two typesPenetrating &Perforation .

(c) Gun shot wounds caused by firearms.(d)Wounds from heat/ X-ray/ lightning/ corrosive chemicals/ boiling liquid, etc. e.g. Burns, Scalds. (e) Wounds of various types caused by bomb splinters.

According to nature:Self inflicted or suicidal wounds Inflicted by others or homicidal wounds Accidental wounds Defense wounds Fabricated wounds 2. In relation to moment of death: Ante-mortem wounds Postmortem wounds

Simple; and Grievous which may in most of the cases be dangerous to life. In order of severity, injury may be designed one by one as follows:Fire arm wounds;Wounds caused by bomb splinters;Punctured or stab wounds; Incised wounds;Burn wounds; Scald wounds;Fractures or dislocations;Bruises or contusions;Abrasions.

Abrasion is a blunt force injury developed on the surface of the skin due to rubbing of rough substance. Such as stone, stick, nails, pointed end of a thorn, needles, etc.

These injuries are mostly accidental, sometimes homicidal & rarely suicidal.Characteristics of injury, type of weapon, age of injury can be helpful in medico-legal cases.For instance, an abrasion on cornea can lead to blindness, a grievous injury.

Bruise is a blunt force injury causing effusion of blood into the tissues due to crushing or tearing of the cellular tissues and small blood vessels but without any damage to the skin externally.

By blow with a blunt weapon, e.g. lathi, whip, iron rod, fist, etc. By fall on a hard rough surface, by being knocked down or run over by moving vehicles, By crushing or compression.

Sometimes artificial or false bruise is produced in order to bring a false charge of assault against a rival or enemy. Substances used here may be Root of chitra or lal chitra, Antiseptics or caustics.

These are usually accidental, sometimes homicidal & rarely suicidal.Bruising on thigh specially inner aspect and on genitals indicates rapeEven a minor bruise or contusion on brain, heart or lung without visible injury on upper surface may prove fatal to cause death.

It is defined as the injury caused by Heavy, Hard & Blunt objects, involving damage to some deeper layers & deeper body parts, e.g. subcutaneous tissues, muscles, bones, blood vessels & internal viscera, etc.

By assault with blunt weapons e.g. lathi, iron bar, stone, brick, etc. By violent fall on somewhat sharp and hard projecting surfaces,By street vehicle accidents, on the ground including fall from a height.

Laceration is usually homicidal or accidental,Suicidal are very rare because of extreme force required & extensive pain, These are usually grievous injuries,Foreign bodies found in the wound may indicate the circumstances in which crime has been committed.

These are the injuries caused by Sharp edged objects, like blade, knife, chopper etc. when the weapon is struck or pressed & drawn across the body part.Types:- Hesitation cuts- Chop wounds

Weapon the shape may indicate the nature of the weapon,Relative position of the victim and the assailant can be known,

Stab/ punctured wounds are deep wounds caused by a more or less pointed weapon by driving in through the skin and the depth in the greatest dimension. Weapons used: Knife, dagger, needle, arrow, scissors, ice pick, etc.

Penetrating wound: The weapon enters the body cavity, such as thorax (chest) or abdomen.Perforating wound: When the weapon after penetrating the tissues, comes out from other side making an exit wound.In other words, through and through wound.

Shape of the wound may indicate the type of weapon usedThe depth of the wound may indicate the force of penetration Position, number and direction of wounds may indicate mode of production, e.g. suicide, homicide, or accident

Firearms injuries or gunshot wounds are such injuries which are caused by high velocity projectiles, e.g. bullets discharged from firearms.

These are punctured wounds; e.g. penetrating and perforating

Wound of entry & exit may be present.

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