Marshall listed the different types of injury that can occur following the explosion of a bomb. The author is from Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Type of Injury
Features
complete disruption (blown to bits)
carrying, sitting on, or otherwise in close contact with a large bomb
explosive injury (arm blown off)
incomplete disruption from the explosion with mangling and tearing of tissue
injury from masonry and falling debris
from collapsing walls and ceilings
injury from flying missiles
range from small particles that abrade the skin (see below) to large fragments that penetrate vital structures
burns
range from singing and small burns associated with the explosion to severe burns from fires started by the explosion
blast injury
requires a large explosion to occur as an isolated finding; rarely important in small bombs; can result in bleeding into the lungs, air embolism and abdominal injury
unexplained deaths
person dies with no visible cause; possible explanations include air embolism, "vagal inhibition", and blast injury
Dermal injuries characteristic of an explosive device:
(1) triad of small discrete bruises, small abrasions and puncture lacerations
(2) tattooing of the skin from dust on exposed parts of the body facing the blast
It is important not to overlook gunshot or knife wounds that may be masked by burns or explosive injury.
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