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Gunshot Wound to the Back of the Head - Self Defence vs. Homicide

NCJ Number
122743
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: (July/August 1989) Pages: 255-260
Author(s)
F T Zugibe; J T Costello; M K Breithaupt
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A police officer attended the scene of a burglary in progress and, following a pursuit through the house with his gun in hand, shot the burglar in the back of the head.
Abstract
The officer pleaded self-defence alleging that the burglar had whirled around holding what was perceived as a gun in his left hand and that he had reflexively pulled the trigger of his own gun. When he examined the body, a black yarmulke was present near the outstretched hand of the burglar. The results of a reconstruction were consistent with the details of the police officer's deposition. (Publisher abstract)

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