Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

[Axe blow injuries caused by reflex action?].

W Bonte, H Bayer-Helms

    Archiv Fur Kriminologie
    |September 1, 1986
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Self-mutilation claims involving axe blows are examined. Reaction times for hand movements far exceed the speed of an axe strike, making unwilled finger injuries unlikely.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    [Fatal child neglect in West Germany 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990. Results of a multicenter study].

    Archiv fur Kriminologie·1999
    Same author

    Stability of RNA transcripts in post-mortem psychiatric brains.

    Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)·1999
    Same author

    [Fatal child abuse (caused by physical violence) in Germany during 1 January 1985 to 2 October 1990. Results of a multicenter study].

    Archiv fur Kriminologie·1999
    Same author

    DNA-PCR analysis of bloodstains sampled by the polyvinyl-alcohol method.

    Journal of forensic sciences·1999
    Same author

    Rapid method for successful HLA class I and II typing from cadaveric blood for direct matching in cornea transplantation.

    Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie·1998
    Same author

    Salsolinol and norsalsolinol in human urine samples.

    Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior·1997

    Area of Science:

    • Forensic pathology
    • Biomechanics
    • Human reaction time studies

    Context:

    • Investigating insurance fraud claims involving self-inflicted injuries.
    • Analyzing the mechanics of axe or chopper injuries.
    • Evaluating the plausibility of involuntary movements during injury events.

    Purpose:

    • To determine the biomechanical feasibility of self-inflicted axe injuries.
    • To compare human reaction times with the speed of axe strikes.
    • To assess the likelihood of 'reflex actions' causing specific injury patterns.

    Summary:

    • Human reaction time (initiation + movement) is estimated at a minimum of 700 msec.
    • Axe and chopper strike times range from 220-380 msec.
    • The hand's response time is significantly slower than the impact time, refuting claims of involuntary movements causing injury.

    Related Experiment Videos

    Impact:

    • Challenges the validity of certain self-mutilation claims in insurance fraud cases.
    • Provides empirical data for forensic investigations involving chop wounds.
    • Highlights the limitations of reflex actions in rapid, high-force events.