title: Bone-patch type secondary projectiles: A report on two shots fired at point-blank range using hollow point bullets.
abstract: The number of head wounds due to firearms remains low in France because these cases are primarily linked to suicide (or attempted suicide) and, to a lesser extent, to attacks or hunting accidents [1]. Characterized by the impact of a projectile, which in most cases is made of metal, at high levels of kinetic energy, such acts generally result in severe trans-cerebral lesions with significant levels of morbidity/mortality [2]. Seldom are cases reported in the literature that give a detailed study of intracranial foreign bodies made of bone in such situations [3]. Here we report on the case of two suicides resulting from a transcranial gunshot wounds caused by weapons and ammunition issued by the French police force. Each case helped distinguish a characteristic bone fragment, in the form of a "patch", equivalent in size to the caliber of the bullet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Angers University Hospital, Angers cedex 09 F-49933, France; IRCGN (Forensic Military Medical Service - Gendarmerie Nationale), 93100 Rosny s/Bois, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malbranque
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Angers University Hospital, Angers cedex 09 F-49933, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jousset
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Angers University Hospital, Angers cedex 09 F-49933, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nedelcu
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Angers University Hospital, Angers cedex 09 F-49933, France; LUNAM (University of Nantes, Angers and Le Mans) Angers Campus, UPRES EA 4337, 49045 Angers cedex, France. Electronic address: stmalbranque@chu-angers.fr.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rougé-Maillart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044709:Forensic Ballistics / Q000379:methods*; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013405:Suicide; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Ballistics; Bone-patch; Secondary projectile; Transcranial wound