A torn or ragged wound typically caused by a blunt object is known as what?

A torn or ragged wound typically caused by a blunt object is referred to as a laceration. This type of injury occurs when the skin is torn, leading to irregular edges and varying depths. Lacerations are often produced by incidents involving blunt trauma, such as being struck by an object or falling onto a rough surface.

In contrast, an incision is caused by a sharp object and has clean, straight edges; a puncture is a deep wound resulting from a pointed object that penetrates the skin without causing significant tearing; and a contusion is a bruise resulting from blunt force trauma that causes bleeding under the skin without breaking the skin's surface. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for properly assessing and treating different types of wounds in a medical or law enforcement context.