Citation

Ellis PS. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 1997; 18(2): 168-171.

Affiliation

Department of Forensic Medicine, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9185935

Abstract

The case of a man who committed suicide by shooting himself in the head is reported. The rifle used by the decedent had been cleaned with the use of a barrel-cleaning brush, which had become detached and had been retained in the barrel. The brush together with the usual projectile were propelled into the head. A highly unusual radiograph was obtained. The implantation of a barrel-cleaning brush in the skull has not been reported in the English literature. This case is reported because of its unique nature and because of possible misinterpretation of an unusual radiological appearance. The potential dangers of inadequate care during weapon cleaning are also discussed.

Language: en