Defensive wounds are injuries received by a victim of an attack while trying to defend against the assailant(s) . They are often found on the hands and forearms, where the victim has raised them to protect the head and face or to fend off an assault, but may also be present on the feet and legs where a victim attempts defense while lying down and kicking out at the assailant. The appearance and nature of the wound varies with the type of weapon used and the location of the injury, and may present as a laceration, abrasion, contusion, or bone fracture. Severe laceration of the palmar surface of the hand or partial amputation of fingers may result from the victim grasping the blade of a weapon during an attack. In forensic pathology, the presence of defense wounds is highly indicative of homicide and also proves that the victim was, at least initially, conscious and able to offer some resistance during the attack. Defensive wounds may be classified as active or passive. A victim of a knife attack, for example, would receive active defense wounds from grasping at the knifes blade, and passive defense wounds on the back of the hand if it was raised up to protect the face.