Harm set, harm get: Hand injuries caused by vole captive bolt devices

Abstract

Introduction Vole captive bolt devices are special mouse traps which belong to the spring guns. Devices and ammunition are available over the counter, age of consent (18 years) is the only legal restriction. Loaded with a 700 J cartridge the device is positioned in the vole passage. By slightly touching a metal ring in front of the muzzle the mouse triggers the shoot and is killed by a high-pressure gas jet. In spite of the high-potential danger causing injuries no study on accidents due to blank cartridge mouse shooters has been published yet. Methods Patients suffering hand injuries due to vole captive bolt devices were identified. Both type and severity of injury and treatment were recorded. An assessment instrument was designed to identify the critical circumstances leading to injury. Also safety regulations and security measures were examined. Results Between August 2004 and February 2007 20 male patients (average age 48.65 years) suffered accidental hand injuries due to vole captive bolt devices. Patterns of injury reached from cutaneous burning up to traumatic amputation of fingers and separation of the whole hand. In 9 of 20 cases an unintended shoot was triggered in secured status of the devices so the accidents were caused by failure of the security mechanism. Ballistic considerations, casualties and the injury pattern itself differ from well-studied hand injuries caused by blank cartridges or fireworks. Conclusion The study presents a previously unpublished injury pattern due to vole captive bolt devices. Forensic approach has to keep in mind this previously unknown mechanism as cause of accident or self-mutilation.