Citation

Betz P, Peschel O, Stiefel D, Eisenmenger W. Forensic Sci. Int. 1995; 76(1): 47-53.

Affiliation

Department of Legal Medicine, University of Munich, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8591835

Abstract

A total of 103 suicidal and 29 homicidal gunshot fatalities were evaluated. In 42% of the suicides, characteristic findings like blood spatters and/or powder soilings, could be found on the shooting hand by naked-eye inspection indicating the importance of an accurate examination of the deceased's hands at autopsy for a preliminary diagnosis. Petechial hemorrhages of the conjunctivae due to the gas pressure after discharge of the weapon were observed in 22% of those cases with contact shot wounds to the head/neck, but not in cases of distant shot injuries following the use of non-high velocity ammunition. Therefore, conjunctival petechiae can be regarded as an additional but optional sign of contact head shots in cases without alterations possibly influencing the development of conjunctival pin-point bleedings. The evidence of such findings can be of practical importance if the entrance shot wound cannot be examined for whatever reason.

Language: en