Final answer:
Pattern bruises are injuries that leave distinct marks indicating the type of object used, such as marks from a grab or an object like a belt. They include sharp object cuts and blunt force crush injuries or fractures. Significant forces can shatter bones, while brain injuries like concussions, though not pattern bruises, can cause serious symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pattern Bruises and Associated Injuries
Pattern bruises are injuries that leave distinct marks on the body which indicate the type of object used to cause them. Common examples of injuries associated with pattern bruises are grab, closed fist punch, belt/electrical cord, slap, objects, and binding/ligature marks. These injuries can be determined to have been caused by both sharp and blunt objects. Sharp objects such as swords, axes, and sickles typically leave clean cuts on bones, while blunt objects might cause crush injuries or fractures. Injuries to the carpals, humerus, radius, and various other bones like the clavicle, metacarpals, femur, tibia, and flat bones like the scapulae can indicate a pattern injury.
A unique case mentioned involved an injury to the skull that was so severe that it shattered the cranial vault, suggesting a weapon like an ax handle or sword handle was used with significant force. Moreover, brain injuries such as concussions, which are common in contact sports, might not lead to pattern bruises but are still important to recognize because they can cause symptoms like headache, drowsiness, and confusion.