Fatal Injuries of Law Enforcement/Correctional Officers Attacked With Sharp-Edged Weapons

• NCJ Number: 252041
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 62 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2017 Pages: 700-704
• Author(s): Patsy Chenpanas; Cynthia Bir
• Date Published: May 2017
• Length: 5 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2011-DE-BX-K402
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Characterization of Stab/Slash Wounds

Annotation

This study examined sharp-edged weapon assaults against law enforcement and correctional agents that resulted in a fatal outcome.

Abstract

A total of 12 autopsy reports were reviewed from across the United States. Four cases involved law enforcement officers; seven involved correctional officers; and one was an off-duty border officer. The male-to-female ratio was 11:1. A total of 70.2 percent of the wounds analyzed were stab wounds (n = 85), and 29.8 percent of the wounds were slash wounds (n = 36). Based on this review, the neck, shoulder, and chest regions were the most vulnerable to single fatal stab/slash wounds. Multiple stab/slash wounds often resulted in exsanguination. The use of body armor was only noted in one case. (Publisher abstract modified)