title: [Blank fright guns as assault weapons. Forensic medicine and legal aspects].
abstract: Frequently blank guns are used at perpetrations as instruments for blows, mainly at robberies. These weapons are constructed in a compact, relatively heavy manner and possess angular bounds. First of all the head is the aim for such attacks. Blows with blank guns against the head are classified as potential dangerous to life. The cause of death is mainly due to bleeding, direct trauma of the brain, and air embolism. The typical resulting trauma as well as the criminal classification of perpetrations with blank guns used as instruments for blows are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Aus dem Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Freien Universität Berlin.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rothschild
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Krause
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D005389:Firearms / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006708:Homicide / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D013800:Theft / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014754:Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*