Morphology of Modern Arrowhead Tips on Human Skin Analog

Abstract

Archery has experienced a recent resurgence in participation and has seen increases in archery range attendance and in children and young adults seeking archery lessons. Popular literature and movies prominently feature protagonists well versed in this form of weaponry. Periodic homicide cases in the United States involving bows are reported, and despite this and the current interest in the field, there are no manuscripts published on a large series of arrow wounds. This experiment utilizes a broad selection of modern arrowheads to create wounds for comparison. While general appearances mimicked the arrowhead shape, details such as the presence of abrasions were greatly influenced by the design of the arrowhead tip. Additionally, in the absence of projectiles or available history, arrowhead injuries can mimic other instruments causing penetrating wounds. A published resource on arrowhead injuries would allow differentiation of causes of injury by forensic scientists.

Treatment of Arrow Wounds: A Review

“…In addition, an arrow can tangentially hit its target, resulting in a linear slit that resembles a laceration. It is interesting to note that these same findings were discovered by Sung et al while discussing the forensic pathology of arrow wounds in the 21st century [ 5 ].…”

“…In addition, a recent poll by Responsive Management for the Archery Trade Association conducted in 2014 revealed an increase in the participation in archery recreational events amongst United States (US) adults [ 4 ]. A more recent experiment conducted by forensic pathologists demonstrated how modern arrowheads can mimic both stab and gunshot wounds [ 5 ]. This experiment also noted that studies on arrow injuries were limited, and while they supplied a detailed report for classification of morphologic variations, they failed to mention management or treatment options for an arrow wound [ 5 ].…”

Suspected broadhead arrow injuries in two common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) along the Alabama Coast

“…The Muzzy Phantom penetrated the blubber layer resulting in a distinct X‐shaped impression 2 cm long and 2 cm wide, making it the closest match in size and shape to the X‐shaped lesions on Cases 1 and 2 (Figure i). While the skin on lesions in Case 1 and Case 2 were markedly more agape than the thin incised lesions made by hand on the test carcasses, gaped wounds have been documented in broadhead arrow injuries due to decomposition and healing (Bradley‐Siemens, Brower, & Kagan, ) or entry direction (Sung et al, ).…”

“…Objects with potential to leave X‐shaped impact patterns in soft tissue include spearfishing tips and broadhead hunting arrows (Byard et al, ; DiMaio & DiMaio, ). Fishing spears and harpoons are equipped with a single edged blade, leaving a singular, oval penetrating wound on associated animals and was ruled out as the source of the lesions (Byard et al, ; Sung, Kesha, Hudson, Root, & Hlavaty, ). When comparing lesions to documented forensic case studies, we found that in human and animal cases, four‐ to five‐point broadhead arrows were identified as the weapon responsible for causing X‐shaped lesions (DiMaio & DiMaio, ) and broadhead arrow wound patterns mimic the number and arrangement of blades on the arrow tip (1–6 blades; Smith‐Blackmore & Robinson, ; Sung et al, ).…”

“…After consideration of possible sources for the X‐lesions (fishery interactions, postmortem scavenging and decomposition, spearfishing tips, broadhead arrows) a broadhead arrow pattern injury was the most consistent with the size, shape, and location of the X‐lesions documented in the Alabama cases. Broadhead arrows are inexpensive, easily obtained, and marketed in many brands and modifications for small game or bowfishing (Sung et al, ). Although broadhead arrows can cause wounds that extend into the skeletal muscle, shallow penetration injuries by a broadhead arrow have been documented in animals.…”