Two entrances, one exit--an atypical shotgun injury: a case report.
Firearm-related injuries are a major problem worldwide and one of the central issues in forensic pathology. An atypical appearance of a gunshot wound can create surgical or medico-legal diagnostic problems. We report a case of a homicidal shotgun fatality with an unusual trajectory of pellets in the body. Two large pellets perforated the anterior chest wall near to each other but made their exit through a common wound in the back. Our report describes the results of the medico-legal investigation and discusses problems related to examination of firearm wounds.
De Giorgio
Fabio
F
State Provincial Office of Southern Finland, Helsinki, Finland. fdegiorgio@tiscalinet.it
Rainio
Juha
J
D001344:Autopsy; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005389:Firearms; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000401:mortality*