Contact gunshot wound of the head: diagnosis after surgical debridement of the wound.
A case of homicidal contact gunshot wound of the head is described. The victim survived approximately 1 day and one-half following the shooting, during which time the bullet was recovered during surgery, the injuries were 'well-documented', and surgical debridement of the wound destroyed any visible evidence of gunshot residue on the scalp or underlying bone. Autopsy revealed a skull fragment with soot deposition within the depths of the injured brain, allowing an accurate determination of range-of-fire. The case reiterates the importance of performing autopsies on all homicides.
Prahlow
J A
JA
Dallas County Medical Examiners Office and Department of Pathology, University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75235, USA.
Barnard
J J
JJ