American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Lacerations are injuries that result from the tearing of tissue, often caused by blunt force trauma or the application of a sharp object. This type of injury typically disrupts both the skin and the underlying tissues, including nerve and blood vessels, leading to potentially significant damage and exposure. Lacerations can vary in depth and may involve varying degrees of tissue loss, making them distinct from other types of wounds.

In contrast, incisions are clean cuts usually made by a sharp instrument, presenting with well-defined edges without the tearing of tissue seen in lacerations. Contusions, or bruises, involve damage to blood vessels beneath the skin without an open wound, resulting solely in discoloration and swelling. Abrasions are superficial injuries that occur when the skin is scraped off, primarily affecting the outer layer without deeper tissue involvement. Thus, lacerations are uniquely characterized by their tearing nature, making them the correct answer in the context of the question.