Dating of wounds

Certain tests can be done to date wounds. However, wounds change over time and there can therefore be a significant overlap, so that dating may not be absolutely conclusive. Wound changes are due to the tissues' response in trying to heal the wound.

The following is of importance in dating of wounds:

· Macroscopic appearance, in other words colour changes, swelling, et cetera, as seen with the naked eye.

· Microscopic appearance, in other words cellular changes in the form of inflammatory cells and connective tissue elements, visible under a microscope.

· Biochemical analysis, for example to detect enzyme changes. This is a highly specialised field and it is seldom used?