A welt is a bloodshot stripe on the skin. They are haematoma, a special form of a

bruise A bruise, also known as a contusion, is a type of hematoma of tissue, the most common cause being capillaries damaged by trauma, causing localized bleeding that extravasates into the surrounding interstitial tissues. Most bruises occur close ...

. Welts occur as a result of blunt force being applied to the body with elongated objects without sharp edges. Like other haematomas, welts change their colors as they heal, which usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. The colors include purplish black, reddish blue, brown or yellowish green. That makes it possible to determine their approximate age. A special form of welts - when the impact tool is not flat - are double welts. They occur after blows with stick-like, long objects, such as a cane for

caning Caning is a form of corporal punishment consisting of a number of hits (known as "strokes" or "cuts") with a single Stick-fighting, cane usually made of rattan, generally applied to the offender's bare or clothed buttocks (see spanking) or ha ...

, a

riding crop Riding is a homonym of two distinct English words: From the word ride * In equestrianism, riding a horse * Riding animal, animal bred or trained for riding * Riding hall, building designed for indoor horse riding From Old English ''*þriðing'' ...

or a

garden hose A garden hose, hosepipe, or simply hose is a flexible tube used to convey water. There are a number of common attachments available for the end of the hose, such as sprayers and sprinklers (which are used to concentrate water at one point or ...

. The energy of the striking tool hitting the skin forces the tissue fluid or tissue matrix to the outside of the instrument. This leaves a rather anaemic, brighter area of skin, so the area of impact of the striking tool on the skin is usually free of injury. However, capillary vessels located under the skin at the edges of the impacting object rupture, resulting in two parallel, striated skin lacerations. Such double straps in a child are always suspicious of abuse and require clarification.M. Grassberger, H. Schmid, A. Koenig: Toodesermittlung – Befundaufnahme & Spurensicherung – Ein praktischer Leitfaden für Polizei, Juristen und Ärzte; Springer-Verlag Wien/New York; ISBN 978-3-211-79959-8

References

Injuries Forensic science Hematology