Question:
A characteristic pattern of multiple radiating, brush-like abrasions resembling a bird’s foot (“sparrow-foot” or crow-foot marks) is found on the skin of a deceased. This injury pattern is most characteristic of:
A characteristic pattern of multiple radiating, brush-like abrasions resembling a bird’s foot (“sparrow-foot” or crow-foot marks) is found on the skin of a deceased. This injury pattern is most characteristic of:
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Branching grazing abrasions from being dragged over rough road grit.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2026
- Motor vehicle (road traffic) accident
- Fall from height onto a flat surface
- Firearm injury
- Electrocution
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: “Sparrow-foot” (also called crow-foot) marks are a pattern of multiple grouped, branching/radiating abrasions resembling the imprint of a bird’s foot.
Step 2: They are produced when the skin is grazed by gravel, road grit, and irregular surfaces, with tangential dragging force. This combination of grazing plus drag is classically seen when a body is dragged or skids across a rough road surface.
Step 3: Hence sparrow-foot marks are typical of motor vehicle / road traffic accidents, where the victim is struck, run over, or dragged along the road.
Step 4: Why the others are wrong - a fall onto a flat surface produces simple abrasions or lacerations without the branching brush pattern; firearm injuries produce entry/exit wounds with collars; electrocution produces Joule (electric) burns with blistering, not brush abrasions.
Key fact: Sparrow-foot / brush abrasions to road traffic (vehicular) accident.
Step 2: They are produced when the skin is grazed by gravel, road grit, and irregular surfaces, with tangential dragging force. This combination of grazing plus drag is classically seen when a body is dragged or skids across a rough road surface.
Step 3: Hence sparrow-foot marks are typical of motor vehicle / road traffic accidents, where the victim is struck, run over, or dragged along the road.
Step 4: Why the others are wrong - a fall onto a flat surface produces simple abrasions or lacerations without the branching brush pattern; firearm injuries produce entry/exit wounds with collars; electrocution produces Joule (electric) burns with blistering, not brush abrasions.
Key fact: Sparrow-foot / brush abrasions to road traffic (vehicular) accident.
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