title: [Morphology and phenomenology of crossbow injuries with a review of the literature].
abstract: This paper presents two cases of survived and fatal injuries caused by broad-head arrows. Case no. 1 is characterised by repeated assaults resulting in severe injuries to the legs of the victim. The lesions showed characteristic patterns due to the arrow-heads with four cross-shaped blades. Case no. 2 represented a suicide with the crossbow arrow entering the upper mouth region at close range, penetrating the base of the skull, the pons and the inter-hemispheric space, with the tip of the arrow being lodged in the skullcap. Morphology of the wounds, ballistic features and technical characteristics are discussed and the available literature is reviewed.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kernbach-Wighton
authors.forename: Burkhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Madea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D044709:Forensic Ballistics / Q000379:methods*; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D013405:Suicide / Q000145:classification*; D054041:Weapons / Q000145:classification*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology*