Mutilation - Definition and Overview

For mutilation of documents, works of art or monuments, see Vandalism

For mutilation of human genitalia, see Genital modification and mutilation

Mutilation is an act or injury that degrades the appearance or function of the (human) body, without causing death. The term is usually used to describe the victims of accidents, torture, physical assault, or certain premodern forms of punishment. Acts of mutilation may include amputation, burning, flagellation, or wheeling.

In many premodern societies without a developed prison system, various forms of mutilation were the standard intermediate punishment, used for crimes considered too severe to be settled with a monetary fine, but not severe enough to deserve the death penalty. Mutilation, especially amputation, is a standard punishment in Islamic Shariah law; the Qur'an prescribes it for repeated stealing. In the Byzantine Empire, it was very widely used after the number of death penalties was much reduced during the 8th century out of religious considerations.

The act of voluntarily changing the appearance of the human body on a permanent, or semi-permanent basis is referred to as: Self-harm, Apotemnophilia or Body modification depending on context.