27 - Differences between Antemortem and postmortem wounds

FEATURES	ANTEMORTEM WOUND	POST MORTEM WOUND
Haemorrhage	-Arterial -Blood clotted and the clot is    ~laminated    ~firmly adherent to      the lining of endothelium    ~firm, rubbery and      variegated -Copious amount -Deep staining of edges   which can't be    washed away	-Venous -Blood usually not clotted  and if clots it is    ~Non laminated    ~Weakly adherent to the       lining of endothelium    ~Soft,friable chicken       fat(yellow) or current       jelly(red) appearance    ~Homogenous -Slight amount -Staining is superficial  and can be washed away
Wound edges	Gaping,everted,swollen	Apposed,not swollen
Vital reaction	Signs of inflammation, infection(pus,slough) and healing (granulation tissue) present	Not present
Enzyme histo chemistry	Negative and positive vital reactions	Vital reaction absent
Wound serotonin and histamine content	Increased	No increase
Microscopy	-Clot has platelets -Leucocyte and  RBC infiltration in between muscle fibers	-Clot lacks platelets -No infiltration