title: Case report of a homicide by a shotgun loaded with unusual ammunition.
abstract: Reported is the case of a man killed by a neighbor with a shotgun loaded with a unusual ammunition. The cartridge contained several shots chained together by metallic wires. Such ammunition has been used for hunting purposes but is now banned, so it can be handmade only. The joined pellets produce a wound with features that are different from those of a wound made by a regular load of pellets. Several interpretive problems are caused by the unknown number of pellets contained in the shell and the effects of the wire holding the shot together.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Siena, Italy. duccio.luchini@libero.it
authors.forename: Duccio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luchini
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Paolo
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morabito
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gabbrielli
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D000368:Aged; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D005389:Firearms; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*