American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Which color indicates a contusion that has aged for 5-7 days?

1. Yellow

2. Red

3. Green

4. Purple

The correct answer is: Green

A contusion, also known as a bruise, undergoes a series of color changes as it heals. When a bruise first occurs, it typically appears red due to the fresh blood pooling beneath the skin. As time passes, the hemoglobin in the red blood cells breaks down, leading to various colors that signify different stages of healing. Between 5 to 7 days post-injury, the contusion often appears green. This greenish hue is primarily caused by the breakdown of hemoglobin into biliverdin, which is a green pigment. As the bruise continues to heal, it might transition through yellow as the body clears the remnants of the injury. The other color choices indicate different stages: red indicates a fresh bruise, purple is often seen in the initial phase right after the injury, and yellow appears later as the bruise is nearing complete healing. Thus, recognizing the healing stages and associated colors is crucial for proper assessment in forensic examinations or medical evaluations.