TY - JOUR PY - 2005// TI - Gunshot fatalities: suicide, homicide or accident? A series of 48 cases JO - Forensic science international A1 - Desinan, L. A1 - Mazzolo, G. M. SP - S37 EP - 40 VL - 147 IS - Suppl N2 - Cases at study comprise 48 gunshot fatalities (33 suicides-29 males and 4 females; 12 homicides-8 males and 4 females; 3 uncertain cases-3 males), examined from 1992 to 2002. The age range of suicides is 22-96 years, mean 58.8 years. In 16 cases the age was upper 65. Scene of death was at home in 27 cases (of which 6 on bed), in a car in 2 cases and in an open place in 4 cases. Uncertain cases happened during hunting. The implements used in suicides were shotgun in 14 cases, rifles in 7, handguns in 11 and a humane veterinary killer in 1. In suicides single entrance wounds were found, apart 1 case with two entrance wounds. A script manifesting suicidal intent was present in 6 cases. Homicides showed both single and multiple entrance wounds: in the cases of multiple entrance wounds, no sign of contact/near contact injuries were seen. In 4 cases, bodies were hidden. LA - SN - 0379-0738 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.09.089 ID - ref1 ER -