Atypical shotgun injury: wide dispersion of pellets inappropriate to intermediate range of fire
Abstract
A firearm death is one of the frequent encounters of forensic practice in Sri Lanka, probably due to increased circulation of unauthorized firearms over the last two decades. Though majority firearm cases are organised homicides, suicidal and accidental deaths are also often heard. While Chinese built T 56 assault rifle being the commonest weapon used in organized homicides, factory made shotguns and their local modifications are prevailing in individual crimes in rural setup. The assessment of the range of fire is one of the key medico-legal issues in distinguishing suicidal and accidental cases from homicidal gunfire. The features of entry wounds are always useful in determining the range of fire. Here we present a case of homicidal shot gun injury with unusual external injury pattern.
DOI: 10.4038/gmj.v14i1.1193
Galle Medical Journal Vol.14(1) 2009 92-94
© 2009 Rohan Ruwanpura, published by Galle Medical Association
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License.