ssociation Between Sharp and Blunt Force Injuries and Injury Locations in Assault Victims: A Visum et Repertum Study, 2024

Abstract

Background: Assault is a form of physical violence that can seriously affect a victim's health and has legal implications. Visum et Repertum (VeR) plays an important role in documenting relevant medical findings for judicial processes. Understanding the types and locations of injuries may help identify patterns of violence.

Objective: To examine the relationship between types of sharp and blunt force injuries and injury locations in assault victims based on VeR at Bhayangkara Hospital Medan in 2024.

Methods: This analytical observational study used a cross-sectional approach and was conducted at Bhayangkara Hospital Medan. Secondary data from 94 VeR documents were collected and analyzed using the Chi-Square test.

Results: Most victims were aged ≥18 years (100%), male (68.1%), and employed (57.4%). Blunt force trauma was the most common injury type (70.2%), and the head/neck was the most frequent injury location (46.8%). A significant association was found between the type of injury and its location (p = 0.010).

Conclusion: There is a statistically significant relationship between types of sharp and blunt force injuries and injury locations in assault victims. These findings may serve as a reference for forensic medical practice and legal proceedings.

Keywords: Violence, injury, VeR