Self-infliction of faked gunshot wounds in absence of overt psychopathology.
Distinguishing deliberate self-inflicted body damage from assault represents a challenge to the forensic expert. Identifying a wound as self-inflicted can be particularly difficult in emergency room situations. We present the case of an individual who self-inflicted three bullet wounds, allegedly related to a shooting incident. This individual was lacking any overt psychopathology. When confronted with the facts, he confessed and explained his motivation. It is known that self-mutilation behavior can be related to particular, well systematized psychiatric disorders. However, in the absence of such a diagnosis, every suspicious wound should be carefully considered by the forensic expert as potentially self-inflicted with the intent by the "victim" of obtaining secondary gains.
Sinani
Fatos
F
Institute of Forensic Medicine, Tirana, Albania.
Vyshka
Gentian
G
Ymaj
Besim
B
D000328:Adult; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D044709:Forensic Ballistics; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*