TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1995//
TI  - Frequency of blood spatters on the shooting hand and of conjunctival petechiae following suicidal gunshots wounds to the head
JO  - Forensic science international
A1  - Betz, P.
A1  - Peschel, Oliver
A1  - Stiefel, D.
A1  - Eisenmenger, W.
SP  - 47
EP  - 53
VL  - 76
IS  - 1
N2  - A total of 103 suicidal and 29 homicidal gunshot fatalities were evaluated. In 42% of the suicides, characteristic findings like blood spatters and/or powder soilings, could be found on the shooting hand by naked-eye inspection indicating the importance of an accurate examination of the deceased's hands at autopsy for a preliminary diagnosis. Petechial hemorrhages of the conjunctivae due to the gas pressure after discharge of the weapon were observed in 22% of those cases with contact shot wounds to the head/neck, but not in cases of distant shot injuries following the use of non-high velocity ammunition. Therefore, conjunctival petechiae can be regarded as an additional but optional sign of contact head shots in cases without alterations possibly influencing the development of conjunctival pin-point bleedings. The evidence of such findings can be of practical importance if the entrance shot wound cannot be examined for whatever reason.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0379-0738
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -