[Manifestations of screwdriver injuries]

Report on three homicides, in which apart from other kinds of mechanical traumas there were also injuries due to stabs with a screwdriver; in one case a screwdriver with a cross-shaped tip was used; in the two other cases the weapon was a regular blade screwdriver with a single-edged tip. Supplementing the systematic studies by Brinkmann and Kleiber (Arch. Kriminol. 161, 31-40 [1978]) several other findings concerning screwdriver injuries are reported; non-penetrating impact lesions of the skin with contusion of the underlying subcutis, reddish streaks consisting of intracutaneous hemorrhages in the width of the screwdriver tip (after tangential slipping), bone lesions typical of the tool. If certain locations are hit (e.g. the region of the ear) piercing injuries are also possible. Injuries of the hands show that the victim tried to defend himself and that the stab was inflicted while the victim was still able to act.