Understanding the Five Types of Strikes
Private investigators might find themselves investigating an edged-weapon case for various reasons: They might be hired by a family seeking closure on a cold case, where an unsolved stabbing crime has lingered without resolution, prompting the PI to re-examine old evidence, interview forgotten witnesses, or uncover overlooked details. They might be brought in by a defense attorney or a client to refute a previous investigator’s conclusions, such as challenging a hasty determination of guilt based on flawed forensic analysis or biased witness statements. In either scenario, the PI’s role would involve digging into case files and analyzing the weapon’s use to breathe new life into a dormant investigation or dismantle a shaky prior narrative.
While forensic science is often portrayed as an infallible cornerstone of criminal investigations, it’s critical to recognize its limitations and avoid over-reliance on its findings. Techniques like DNA profiling, blood spatter, and edged-weapon forensics are subject to human error, interpretive bias, or incomplete data, all of which can lead to flawed conclusions. The veneer of scientific precision can sometimes mask uncertainties — such as contamination risks, outdated methodologies, or the absence of context — that undermine reliability. Blind trust in these tools, without scrutiny or corroboration, risks elevating them beyond their true capability, potentially derailing justice rather than serving it.
Blind trust in these tools, without scrutiny or corroboration, risks elevating them beyond their true capability, potentially derailing justice rather than serving it.
That said, you may in some future investigation find it helpful to understand how edged weapons are used and the various types of injuries they cause. Recognizing the five primary types of edged weapon strikes — harassing cuts, stabs, slices, gouges, and blunt force trauma — can provide valuable insights into an assailant’s intent and the sequence of events, and can sometimes even help you reconstruct the event.
1. Harassing Cuts
Harassing cuts are typically shallow, non-lethal wounds used to intimidate or distract victims rather than to incapacitate them immediately. These strikes are often rapid and repetitive, aimed at soft tissue areas like the forearms, hands, or face.
Investigation Considerations:
• Harassing cuts are commonly seen in defensive wounds, indicating the victim attempted to block an attack.
• The angle and pattern of the cuts can suggest whether the attacker was trying to force compliance rather than inflict a fatal injury.
• The presence of multiple shallow cuts may indicate a psychological component to the attack, such as torture or control tactics.
2. Stabs
Stabbing involves thrusting an edged weapon into the body, typically targeting vital organs to cause maximum damage. These wounds are often deep and can be lethal depending on the location and force of the strike.
Investigation Considerations:
• The depth and trajectory of stab wounds can determine the type of weapon used and the force applied.
• The number and distribution of stab wounds may indicate rage, overkill, or a calculated attempt to neutralize a target.
• Clothing and body positioning at the time of the attack can help determine whether the victim was moving or stationary when stabbed.
• The presence of wounds on the hands or arms could indicate defensive attempts to grab or deflect the weapon.
3. Slices
A slicing attack involves a continuous movement of the blade across the skin or muscle, creating long, often deep lacerations. Slicing wounds can cause extensive bleeding and long-term damage and immediate incapacitation.
Investigation Considerations:
• The direction and depth of a slice can indicate whether the attacker was slashing wildly or deliberately targeting specific areas.
• Evidence of arterial bleeding (spurting blood) suggests a slice that severed major blood vessels.
• The weapon’s sharpness influences the wound pattern, with serrated blades creating a different texture than smooth-edged knives.
• If the slice wounds are shallow, it may indicate an attempt to maim rather than kill, or that the victim moved during the attack.
4. Gouges
A gouge occurs when an edged weapon is pressed deeply into flesh (stab) and then forcefully twisted, dragged, or wrenched out. These wounds are often irregular and far more devastating than simple stabs or slices.
Investigation Considerations:
• Gouge wounds are often associated with extreme aggression or an attempt to permanently disable a victim.
• The shape of the wound can indicate the size and shape of the blade, as well as whether the assailant twisted or ripped the weapon from the victim’s body.
• Gouging wounds on the face, eyes, genitalia, breasts or other highly sensitive areas may indicate a personal vendetta or an intent to disfigure.
• The presence of defensive wounds or DNA under the victim’s fingernails may indicate a struggle before the gouging strike was delivered.
5. Blunt Force Trauma from an Edged Weapon
While edged weapons are designed for cutting or stabbing, they can also cause blunt force trauma when used improperly or as a secondary weapon. This can occur when an assailant strikes with the handle, pommel, or even the flat of a large blade.
Investigation Considerations:
• Blunt force injuries from an edged weapon can cause fractures, bruising, or concussions.
• If the handle or butt of a knife is used, it may suggest an attacker was attempting to subdue rather than kill.
• Blunt force injuries combined with cutting wounds might indicate the victim was disarmed and then beaten.
• Identifying impact patterns can help determine the angle and force of the blows, as well as whether the assailant was in close-quarters combat.
The Role of Skin Elasticity in Wound Depth Analysis
When investigating edged weapon attacks, consider the elasticity of skin and soft tissue. Human skin stretches and deforms under pressure, which can allow a knife to penetrate deeper than its actual length. As the weapon enters the body, the skin may stretch around the blade, and upon withdrawal, it can retract, sometimes making the wound appear smaller than the weapon used. Additionally, if the attacker applies force or if the victim moves during the attack, the tissue may further compress, allowing for deeper penetration than expected.
This phenomenon can mislead an investigator, potentially resulting in an inaccurate estimate of the weapon’s size. Proper forensic examination, including wound tract analysis and knowledge of how different blade types interact with soft tissue, is essential to prevent misinterpretation of the evidence.
Reconstructing the Crime Scene
When investigating an edged weapon attack, understanding the sequence and nature of wounds can help piece together the events leading to the assault. Key investigative steps include:
• Weapon Identification: Compare wound characteristics to potential weapons.
• Blood Spatter Analysis: Note the location and amount of blood. This can potentially help tell a story of movement and positioning of the attacker and victim.
• Defensive Wounds: Pay attention to whether there are wounds on the victim’s arms and hands. These can suggest whether a victim fought back or was ambushed.
• Suspect Behavior: Noting the types of wounds can offer hints about whether the attack was premeditated, frenzied, or controlled.
The Viscosity of Blood and Its Impact on the Attack
Blood has a relatively high viscosity compared to water — it’s thick and sticky. As an assailant repeatedly strikes or struggles with a victim, the knife handle can become coated in blood, making it slippery. The attacker’s hand may slide forward onto the blade, resulting in self-inflicted cuts, particularly on the fingers or palm. These wounds are often referred to as “cast-off injuries” and can be crucial in identifying the perpetrator.
You won’t know whether there are traces of the assailant’s blood present alongside the victim’s, but a DNA analysis of the blood samples can tell you whether there’s more than one person’s blood at the scene. And it might even provide critical forensic evidence that links a suspect to the crime.
Hesitation Wounds and the Psychology of a Timid Attacker
Hesitation wounds are typically shallow, tentative wounds that indicate an attacker who is uncertain, inexperienced, or struggling with the psychological weight of committing violence. These cuts are often found in cases where the assailant is emotionally conflicted, such as crimes of passion or first-time offenders.
Multiple hesitation wounds may suggest the assailant initially lacked the resolve to attack with full force but eventually overcame their reluctance, escalating to more severe strikes. Understanding these patterns can provide valuable insight into the mindset and intent of the assailant.
Conclusion
The angle of an edged weapon attack can provide useful hints about the assailant’s physical characteristics. The direction and depth of wounds can sometimes indicate whether the attacker was left-handed or right-handed based on the natural arc of their strikes. For instance, a right-handed attacker may produce diagonal wounds slanting from upper right to lower left, while a left-handed assailant would create the opposite pattern. Sometimes, the height of the attacker can be estimated based on the entry angle of stab wounds or the trajectory of slicing attacks — higher angles may suggest a taller suspect, while wounds delivered from a lower angle could indicate a shorter assailant or one striking from a crouched position.
Edged-weapon investigations require attention to detail and an understanding of the physiological effects of different types of strikes. Recognizing whether an attack involved harassing cuts, stabs, slices, gouges, or blunt force trauma can help investigators take educated guesses about the assailant’s intent and the sequence of events. By meticulously analyzing the nature of the wounds, investigators can uncover data that leads to useful lines of inquiry — and perhaps, bring justice to victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
About the author:
Clay A. Kahler, B.A., M.Rs, M.A., Ph.D. brings an extensive background of military police and civilian law enforcement experience. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies and Theology. He is an author, instructor, professor, lecturer and pastor. Clay also holds OSHA certifications in “Basic Accident Investigation” and “Effective Accident Investigation” as well as numerous certifications from the Federal Emergency Management Administration.