Contusion
Definition
Bruising without a break in the skin surface. Many bite marks present as contusion patterns: paired arches of discolouration with no laceration. Contusions can evolve over 24 to 72 hours after the bite.
- Common name
- Bruise
- Skin surface
- Not broken
- Evolution
- Changes over 24 to 72 hours
- Relevance
- Common bite mark presentation
Common questions
Why does the age of a bruise matter when interpreting a bite mark?+
Colour and definition of a contusion change over the first two to three days, so when the photograph is taken relative to the bite affects how clearly the arch pattern can be measured and compared.
Can a contusion pattern alone confirm that a bite occurred?+
Not reliably; other blunt trauma can produce a similarly shaped paired-arch bruise, so the pattern needs to be assessed alongside its location, spacing, and any accompanying injury features.
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