NCJ Number
55691
Date Published
1978
Length
22 pages
Annotation
TECHNIQUES ARE GIVEN FOR GATHERING EVIDENCE WHEN DEALING WITH INJURIES AND DEATHS CAUSED BY TERRORISM OR CIVL VIOLENCE. PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE TYPES OF WOUNDS FOUND IN ASSASSINATIONS, BOMBINGS, AND ACCIDENTAL SHOOTINGS.
Abstract
THE FIRST PORTION OF THE ARTICLE DISCUSSES INJURIES INFLICTED BY STONES AND TRUNCHEONS, SENSORY IRRITANT AGENTS, RUBBER BULLETS, AND PETROL BOMBS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THESE WEAPONS GENERALLY RESULT IN MINOR INJURIES AND ONLY RARELY CAUSE DEATH. THE PETROL BOMBS ARE THE MOST SERIOUS BECAUSE THEY START FIRES; MOST DEATHS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE DEVICES ARE DUE TO FIRE. PATHOLOGISTS DEALING WITH CIVIL DISTURBANCE CASES WILL FIND THAT MOST OF THEIR WORK CONCERNS BULLET WOUNDS EITHER DELIBERATELY OR ACCIDENTLY INFLICTED, BOMBS, AND VARIOUS FORMS OF TORTURE. THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DELIBERATELY AND ACCIDENTALLY INFLICTED BULLET WOUNDS ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL AND ILLUSTRATED. TECHNIQUES FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION OF THE VICTIM IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE BOMB ARE GIVEN. THE IMPORTANCE OF CAREFUL PATHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION TO GATHER EVIDENCE IS EMPHASIZED. STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR THE POST MORTEM EXAMINATION OF BOMB BLAST VICTIMS WHEN IDENTIFICATION IS DIFFICULT. THE POLITICAL CLIMATE SURROUNDING INVESTIGATIONS OF SUCH DEATHS IS BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. TERRORISTS WILL NEARLY ALWAYS ACCUSE EITHER THE POLICE OR A RIVAL GROUP OF MURDERING A MEMBER WHENEVER THE MEMBER IS KILLED BY HIS OWN GROUP OR IS ACCIDENTALLY KILLED BY A BOMB. GOOD MEDICAL WORK IS ESSENTIAL IF THE TRUTH IS TO BE ESTABLISHED. THE ARTICLE IS ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)