“Coup Injury”--“Contre Coup Injury”-- brain shows mush larger contusion underlying the area of impact (Coup) than on the site opposite to impact (Contre coup)

 Article 20 of Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984 explains that the facts relating to occasion, cause or effect are most relevant facts for determination of crime. Cause relates to immediate circumstances prompted the offenders to commit the offence; occasion explains the episode of crime while effect shows the consequences ensued. Similarly, Article 21 of Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984 recognizes the inimical conduct or adverse feelings as relevant facts termed as motive (usually a remote cause of occurrence), which in the present case have not been brought on record through sound and cogent evidence to strengthen the charge against the appellant.

“Coup Injury” is one which occurs immediately subjacent to the area of impact. The smaller the impact area, the greater is the likely hood of a coup injury. The effects are immediate resulting in contusion and hemorrhage. As for example, if the head is fixed (in a case where a person is lying on the ground) and there is violent impact over the occiput, the fracture and underlying brain damage will be located beneath the side of impact.

“Contre Coup Injury” is one which is situated on the contralateral side of the area of impact. It is sustained in falls and traffic injuries when a moving head decelerates suddenly by hitting a hard surface. As for example when a person falls upon the back of his head striking the ground with his occiput, he may sustain brain injury at the site of impact, that is, at the occipital lobes (Coup Injury), and a more pronounced injury at the frontal lobe. The later is known as contre coup injury.

In short, with blows, the brain shows mush larger contusion underlying the area of impact (Coup) than on the site opposite to impact (Contre coup)

Criminal Appeal No.271-J of 2010 Mst.

Aziz Mai v. The State etc