Citation

Cina SJ, Ward ME, Hopkins MA, Nichols CA. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 1999; 20(2): 109-115.

Affiliation

Department of Pathology, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas 78236, USA. cinasj@pol.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10414647

Abstract

Firearm wounds to the head are often fatal and are routinely encountered in the practice of forensic pathology in the United States. Often, the anatomic site of the entrance wound is used to support or refute the manner of death indicated by the scene investigation and/or circumstances of the case. The present retrospective study of 120 fatalities resulting from 140 firearm wounds to the head correlates the anatomic region of the entrance wound and range of fire with the manner of death. Other demographic data analyzed include age, race, and gender of the decedents, as well as evidence of drug and/or ethanol use. It is hoped that this study will provide concrete data to support the largely anecdotal associations between the specific site of entry of firearm injuries to the head and the manner of death.