Citation

Fulga I, Perju-Dumbrava D, Crassas R. Rom. J. Leg. Med. 2008; 16(1): 23-26.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Romanian Legal Medicine Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The present paper analyses a suicide with a firearm classified as non-lethal. A 46 year male, intoxicated with alcohol and in the presence of his wife and daughter, shot himself in the neck with a rubber bullet pistol. The autopsy revealed the presence of injuries characteristic of a high kinetic force projectile, and the presence of secondary factors. Using the same gun and the ammunition found at the victim's home, the authors performed experimental shootings on a non-biological target made of one layer of cardboard and two layers of plaster board, at a distance of 10, respectively 15 cm between layers. The experimental shootings demonstrated the perfect functioning of the gun and also the perforating effect of the projectiles. The authors underline the value of experimental shootings in forensic pathology practice. © 2008 Romanian Society of Legal Medicine.

Language: romanian

Keywords

adult; human; suicide; male; autopsy; case report; forensic pathology; alcohol intoxication; article; gunshot injury; Firearm injuries; Rubber bullet