NCJ Number
52773
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
IN THIS VIDEO TAPE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR FORENSIC PATHOLOGISTS, INVESTIGATION AND AUTOPSY TECHNIQUES FOR EXAMINING VICTIMS OF GUNSHOT WOUNDS ARE DEMONSTRATED.
Abstract
GUNSHOT WOUNDS ARE NOT ALWAYS APPARENT AND CANNOT ALWAYS CONCLUSIVELY BE DETERMINED TO BE GUNSHOT WOUNDS. A 22 CALIBER BULLET, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN ENTER THE HEAD OBLIQUELY AND NOT LEAVE A MARK OR A WOUND. FOR THIS REASON, ALL SUSPICIOUS DEATHS OR SUICIDES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED CAREFULLY, AND THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD INCLUDE A COMPLETE AUTOPSY. INVESTIGATORS WHO EXAMINE THE BODY AT THE DEATH SCENE SHOULD NOTE THE POSITION OF THE GUN IN THE VICTIM'S HAND AND THEN DECIDE IF THE GUN WAS PLACED THERE AFTER DEATH. THE AUTOPSY SHOULD INCLUDE A THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF WOUNDS TO DETERMINE THE DIRECTION OF THE BULLET, AND THE FORCE OF THE BULLET AS AN INDICATOR OF THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE GUN AND THE TARGET AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING. THE HEAD AND BRAIN SHOULD ALWAYS BE GIVEN PARTICULAR ATTENTION IN AN AUTOPSY. SEVERAL CASES OF SUICIDAL DEATH AND HOMICIDAL DEATH RESULTING FROM GUN INJURY ARE EXAMINED TO ILLUSTRATE KINDS OF INFORMATION GATHERED IN AN AUTOPSY. (DAG)