Retained intra cranial blade – medicolegal perspectives

A fatal case of a homicidal penetrating head injury by retained blade of knife is reported. The blade of knife penetrated the skull bone after breaking from a knife handle and remained lodged in the intracranial cavity for 5 days resulting in death from intracranial bleeding and brain oedema. The need of proper and complete examination of the head injury and its medico-legal importance is emphasized.