American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

What is defined as scraping of the superficial layer of skin by friction?

1. Contusion

2. Incision

3. Avulsion

4. Abrasion

The correct answer is: Abrasion

The definition of scraping of the superficial layer of skin by friction aligns perfectly with the term "abrasion." An abrasion occurs when the outer layer of skin, known as the epidermis, is worn away due to contact with a rough surface. This type of injury often results in redness, pain, and sometimes bleeding, depending on the severity and depth of the scraping. Abrasions commonly occur in everyday situations, such as falls or accidents where the skin rubs against a hard surface, illustrating the nature of the injury as well as the mechanism involved. In contrast, the other terms refer to different types of injuries: a contusion involves bruising caused by blood vessels breaking under the skin without breaking the skin itself; an incision is a clean cut typically made by a sharp object; and an avulsion refers to an injury where a body structure is forcibly detached or torn away. Thus, “abrasion” is the only term that specifically describes the scraping action resulting from friction and its effects on the skin.