Fatal Thoracic Stab Injury with a Retained Weapon: Forensic Significance of Mechanical Entrapment and Hemorrhagic Shock

Abstract

Background: Sharp-force injuries remain a leading cause of homicidal death worldwide. Although penetrating chest stab injuries are frequently encountered in forensic practice, recovery of the weapon of offence in situ is uncommon and carries distinct medico-legal significance.
Case Details: We report a fatal single stab injury to the left anterior chest in a 31-year-old male, in whom the weapon was recovered embedded within the wound tract at autopsy. The injury caused cut fractures of the third and fourth ribs, laceration of the upper lobe of the left lung, hemothorax, and hemorrhagic shock. Mechanical entrapment of the blade within fractured ribs accounted for retention of the weapon.
Conclusion: Recovery of a weapon in situ allows direct wound–weapon correlation, facilitates accurate reconstruction of injury mechanics, and strengthens determination of homicidal manner of death. This case highlights the exceptional forensic value of such findings in medico-legal autopsy practice.