Minor atypical findings without obvious cause therefore may or may not represent an injury. In order to improve accuracy of interpretation of examination findings for clinical practice and research, a degree of consistency in the use of descriptive terms is obviously a desirable pre-requisite. One classification for defining genital injury types makes use of the acronym TEARS, standing for tears (lacerations), ecchymoses (bruises), abrasions, redness and swelling. Lacerations, abrasions and bruising are generally considered to be significant for implying injury, whereas redness and swelling are felt by many authors to be more subjective in their interpretation, particularly in the genital region.