Diagrams for recording skin marks / injuries

Child diagrams

These kindly provided by Dr Terry Donald, Child Protection Services, Women's & Children's Hospital, SA

• Anterior body from the left
• Anterior body from the right
• Posterior body from the left
• Posterior body from the right
• Head posterior
• Head and face from the right
• Head and face from the left
• Child skeleton anterior
• Child skeleton posterior

Adult diagrams

• Body back and front
• Body front
• Body back
• Body right side
• Body left side
• Head front and back
• Head sides
• Hands
• Arms
• Feet

Other diagrams

• Male genitalia
• Female genitalia
• Adult skeleton

These may be printed out. Please remember to label them.

Notes on wound description

In describing a wound consider the following features:

• Site
• Size
• Shape
• Surrounds
• Colour
• Contours
• Course
• Contents
• Age
• Borders
• Classification
• Depth

Ensure descriptions are consistent with the following definitions.

• Abrasion - a superficiaI scraping injury of the body surface with or without bleeding
• Bruise - Leakage of blood from blood vessels discolouring the tissues of the body
• Incision - A cutting type injury that severs tissues in a clean and generally regular fashion
• Laceration - A tear or split in the tissues

All descriptions of wounds should be made by reference to the subject in the standard anatomical positions.

The use of terms such as Superior, Inferior, Anterior and Posterior should refer to the subject in standard anatomical position.

The measured position of wounds on the body should be located by reference to fixed bony landmarks,

The accurate classification of a wound type has major significance for determining causation.

An accurate assessment should assist in developing a good understanding of the events  which caused the injury.