The phrase “blunt force trauma” may sound like cold medical jargon, but behind those three words lies a story of violence, pain, and in some cases, death.
In the postmortem report of Albert Ojwang, who died under controversial circumstances while in police custody, the term appears as a key finding.
Government pathologist Bernard Midia, in his report, stated that Ojwanga was assaulted and suffered multiple body injuries.
“As a result of my examination, I formed the opinion that the cause of death was head injury due to blunt force trauma and neck compression,” the report states in part.
Midia insisted that Ojwang did not hit himself on the wall contradicting a police report on Sunday which said he hit his head on the wall of a cell at Central Police Station.
“When we examined…the pattern of the injury, especially on the trauma I found on the head…hitting against a blunt substance like a wall would have a pattern,” he said.
Midia said that in the event of one hitting themselves on a wall, frontal bleeding on the head would be seen.
What is blunt force trauma?
Blunt force trauma refers to injuries caused by impact with a solid, non-penetrating object.
Unlike cuts or stab wounds from sharp instruments, blunt force trauma does not break the skin but can severely injure tissue, bones, and internal organs.
It is common in accidents like falls and car crashes, but also in cases of assault or excessive physical force.
The injury results from the body absorbing a sudden force, such as being hit, kicked, or slammed against a surface.
This impact transfers kinetic energy to internal structures, often causing damage that may not be visible externally.
According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, trauma is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients under 35-years of age.
It is listed as the sixth leading cause of death worldwide.
Types of injuries caused by blunt force trauma
Depending on the force and part of the body affected, blunt force trauma can lead to a range of injuries, including contusions or bruises where blood vessels rupture under the skin, leading to discoloration and swelling.
It can also lead to abrasions, a situation where the skin is scraped off through friction against a rough surface, lacerations which is the tearing of the skin and tissue from forceful impacts and bone fractures caused by direct or indirect trauma.
Others are internal bleeding which caused damage to blood vessels leading to hidden but life-threatening hemorrhaging, strikes to the abdomen or chest can rupture organs like the liver or spleen and head trauma which may result in concussions, skull fractures, or brain swelling and hemorrhage.
Why it matters in a postmortem
When blunt force trauma is listed as a cause of death in a postmortem, it typically indicates that the victim sustained fatal injuries through repeated impact or force.
It helps forensic experts assess the manner of death, whether it was accidental, self-inflicted, or a result of violence and the nature of the incident, including whether it aligns with eyewitness or official accounts.
It also helps in terms of accountability, especially in cases involving state custody or possible human rights violations.
In legal and human rights contexts, findings like these can influence criminal prosecutions and determine if there was a cover-up or excessive use of force.
The larger implication
In forensic investigations, blunt force trauma can be a key indicator of assault or foul play.
It helps determine the cause and manner of death whether it was it accidental, was it self-inflicted or was it the result of violence by another person?
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