title: Contact shot with unusual soot pattern.
abstract: In a suicidal shot to the temple two roundish zones of powder soot blackening were found above the entrance wound. The paired zones of powder soot blackening were caused by two gas outlets located on the upper side of the muzzle end of the weapon used (converted blank cartridge pistol of make Rhöner). The conclusions that can be drawn from this particular soot pattern with regard to the type of the weapon, the muzzle-to-target distance, the direction of fire and the way of holding the weapon are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 9, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany. grossep@ukl.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: M Grosse
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Perdekamp
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Braunwarth
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rost
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pollak
mesh_terms: D044709:Forensic Ballistics; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013405:Suicide; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*