Misuse of Service Pistol in a Dyadic Death

Abstract

Background : Homicide followed by the perpetrator's suicide commonly seen in dyadic death. The time lag between homicide and suicide is very less. Dyadic deaths are rare in occurrence and their nature varies in each case. Also, the causes of death in suicide and homicide are different but it may be same in few cases. Perpetrators are usually male and always use weapons that are easily available in their vicinity for homicide and suicide. Case Report: We received two calls, one hour apart from a local police station in South Mumbai, regarding death due to firearm injuries. At the first crime scene, we found a forty-year policeman with a contact shot over the right temporal region. Subsequently, we visited second crime scene that was 100 meters away from the first crime scene. We observed a forty-eight-year-old female with contact shot over the sternal region. Initially investigating authorities mystified over two deaths due to the firearm. We collected evidence from crime scenes. We performed autopsies at the tertiary care teaching hospital. We studied role of perpetrator dyadic death and constructed a crime scene. Conclusion: Meticulous efforts revealed a dyadic death i.e. murder followed by suicide due to an extra-marital relationship and monetary dispute. Also, the misuse of service pistol (issued by police department) by the perpetrator for killing the victim and himself.