Citation

Blakaj F, Dylhasi F, Haliti D, Kukaj I, Krasniqi D. Forensic Sci. Int. Rep. 2020; 2.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.fsir.2020.100148

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicides with rifles are relatively common, particularly in cases when the deceased can pull the trigger by hand. However, the discrepancy between the length of the individual's arms and the firearm barrel may make investigators question suicide as a possibility. In some cases, the deceased used a supportive mechanical device with accessories to fire the gun. Here, a 52-year-old Caucasian male with a history of suicide attempts was found dead in a thicket near his house. The scene investigation revealed that the deceased was found lying on his back with a rifle across from him resting on an X-shaped wooden supportive device with the buttstock leaning against an oak tree. There was also a nylon string attached to the wooden device, wrapped around the tree and over the trigger of the rifle. Measurements taken during forensic autopsy showed that the man's upper outstretched limbs were shorter than the barrel of the rifle by approximately 7.5 cm. The case reported here is an example of such a scenario. © 2020 The Author(s)

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; suicide; Suicide; male; autopsy; case report; cause of death; firearm; toxicology; Forensic autopsy; gunshot injury; clinical article; priority journal; middle aged; Caucasian; ballistics; kidney injury; Article; abdominal bleeding; Rifle; spleen injury; nylon; Mechanical device; String