Unexpected Casualty: The Accidental Fatality of a Glass Injury

Cureus. 2025 Mar 18;17(3):e80797. doi: 10.7759/cureus.80797. eCollection 2025 Mar.

ABSTRACT

Fatal sharp-cut injuries are often associated with violent acts and are typically considered homicidal in nature. This case report presents a rare instance of an accidental fatality caused by glass, initially suspected as a homicide due to the injury pattern and preliminary crime scene scenario. It describes a 20-year-old male found dead on the roadside with a deep, wide, sharp wound to his right elbow and significant blood loss. An autopsy confirmed hemorrhagic shock due to a major vessel rupture. Further investigation, including CCTV footage, revealed that the intoxicated victim had accidentally struck a broken glass door. This case discusses the characteristics of glass-induced injuries and underscores the importance of integrating forensic analysis with investigative findings to prevent misclassification of the manner of death.

PMID:40255745 | PMC:PMC12006681 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.80797