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
Highlights
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
The cause of death is given as necessarily fatal craniocerebral injuries due to the discharge of a shot gun at intermediate range
A fibrous wad and two spherical metallic slugs were recovered from the scene
Summary
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 often heard. The assessment of the range of fire is one of the key medico-legal issues in distinguishing suicidal and accidental cases from homicidal gunfire. We present a case of homicidal shot gun injury with unusual external injury pattern. Other penetrating injuries contained one slug at the bottom of each track. 2 cm × 3 cm in size, was present at the inner end of the left eye brow (Figure 1). The radius of dispersion of the penetrating lacerations was 10 cm (4 inches). The cause of death is given as necessarily fatal craniocerebral injuries due to the discharge of a shot gun at intermediate range
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