Citation

Fracasso T, Löhrer L, Karger B. Forensic Sci. Int. 2009; 188(1-3): e21-e22.

Affiliation

Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Röntgenstrasse 23, 48149 Münster, NRW, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.03.029

PMID

19394171

Abstract

An extraordinary case of a young woman with a gunshot wound to her left hand is presented. A typical near-contact entrance wound at the palm of the hand, extensive soft tissue destruction including nerve and vessel injury and a large stellate exit wound at the back of the hand were diagnosed and surgically treated. The woman initially stated that she had tried to repulse the pistol when a man shot her from close-range, which is consistent with the injury findings. After questioned thoroughly, however, she confessed self-infliction using a 8mm blank pistol. This case demonstrates that a self-inflicted injury simulating a criminal offence can be present even if very atypical features such as the use of a firearm and mutilating or defence-like injuries clearly speak against it.

Language: en