An Analysis of the Characteristics of Thoracic and Abdominal Injuries Due to Gunshot Homicides in Israel.
De-identified wound data from 197 homicidal gunshot postmortems were obtained between 2000 and 2008. Forensic ballistics data were only available for cases between 2004 and 2008. Males represent 91% of gunshot victims and were struck in the thorax/abdomen with an average of 2.3 bullets. The type of firearms involved were semi-automatic pistols in the predominant caliber 9-mm Luger and assault rifles in caliber 5.56 × 45 mm and caliber 7.62 × 39 mm Soviet, using full metal jacket bullets. The majority of shootings occurred at ranges of 1 m or greater. The most common bullet path was front to back in 66% of cases. Entry wounds occurred more often on the left side of the thorax, abdomen, and back. The most common critical organs/tissues to sustain bullet trauma in descending order were as follows: heart, lungs, liver, aorta, spleen, kidneys, and vena cava. Ribs were struck by most bullets that entered the thorax.
Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road Level 3 Medical School North Building, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
Nicholas R
NR
Maiden
National Centre of Forensic Medicine, PO Box 8495, Tel Aviv - Yafo, Israel, 6108401.
Jehuda
J
Hiss
National Centre of Forensic Medicine, PO Box 8495, Tel Aviv - Yafo, Israel, 6108401.
Hadas
H
Gips
Division of Identification & Forensic Science, Israel National Police, Bar Lev Haim 1, East Jerusalem, Israel, 97200.
Gil
G
Hocherman
Division of Identification & Forensic Science, Israel National Police, Bar Lev Haim 1, East Jerusalem, Israel, 97200.
Nadav
N
Levin
Division of Identification & Forensic Science, Israel National Police, Bar Lev Haim 1, East Jerusalem, Israel, 97200.
Olga
O
Kosachevsky
Division of Identification & Forensic Science, Israel National Police, Bar Lev Haim 1, East Jerusalem, Israel, 97200.
Asya
A
Vinokurov
Division of Identification & Forensic Science, Israel National Police, Bar Lev Haim 1, East Jerusalem, Israel, 97200.
Avraham
A
Zelkowicz
Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road Level 3 Medical School North Building, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
Roger W
RW
Byard
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044709:Forensic Ballistics; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
bullet trajectory; cause of death; entry wound; forensic science; organ damage; rib damage