Visual assessment of the timing of bruising by forensic experts

摘要: Abstract Introduction Forensic experts are frequently asked to comment on the age of injuries and interpretation may have significant medico-legal consequences. The purpose this study is determine accuracy with which forensic can visually a bruise from photographs produced under standard conditions. Methods Bruises were upper arms 11 subjects by suction pump. Sequential taken daily until they no longer visible naked eye. Fifteen who did not know bruises estimate their ages also place them in chronological order. Results Hundred thirty-two images 25 produced, ranging 0 209 h age. There was considerable inter- intra-observer variability (median difference between estimated real age = 26.0 h (95% C.I. 24.0–31.0 h). greatest for photographed 12 h. No differences seen male female observers (p = 0.553) performance unaffected observer (p = 0.160). Of placed order >80% made 2 errors. Conclusion Bruise estimates experts, photographs, unreliable. However, it appears that vast majority better able same