STUDY OF WOUNDS IN VICTIMS OF HOMICIDE BY FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2013, Vol 2, Issue 44
Abstract
[b] BACKGROUND[/b]: Firearms and explosives constitute convenient means of destroying human life from considerable distance. [b]OBJECTIVE[/b]: Study of wounds in victims of homicide by fireams and explosives. [b]METHODS[/b]: The present study comprised of one hundred cases of homicidal firearms and explosives injuries drawn from the medicolegal autopsies held in the mortuary of the department of Forensic Medicine. [b]RESULTS[/b]: There was presence of firearm erntry wounds in all (100%) victims and presense of exitwounds only in 61.36 % Victims. In majority (61.36%) of victims firearm exit wounds were present.One exit wound was present in 16(18.18%) Victims. Two exit wounds in 17(19.31%) victims, three exit wound in 9 (10.22%) victims and more then three firearm exit wounds in 12(13.63%) victims. It was revealed that in maximum (46.59%) brain and meninges were injured, followed by pleura and lungs (20.45%) pericardium and heart in 18.18 per cent. These were followed by ribs (15.90%), liver in 13.63 per cent. Aorta (9.9%), stomach (6.80), small intestine (5.68%) and large intestine in 4.54 per cent. All (100.00%) homicidal victims of explosive injuries showed burning, abrasions and contusions. Lacerations were seen in 91.66 percent victims. However, blackening was seen in 83.33 per cent and tattooing in 75 per cent victims. It was found in three fourth (75%) of victims of fatal explosive injuries there were no other associated injuries by any weapon other than explosive. In one victim (8.33%) associated injuries by firearm was present and that caused his death. However, in two victims (16.66%) associated injuries (by fire arm and blunt weapon) were present but they were not fatal. In all 12 (100%) victims recived injuries on multiple body parts amongst which injuries on chest were in 9 (91.66%), neck (75%), head (66.66%), abdomen (66.66%). Injuries on upper extremity was seen in 50 per cent and on the lower extremity in33.33 per cent. Findings on frequency of involvement of various internal organs and structures in the victim of homicides by explosives showed that in well over three fourth of victims(83.33%) pleura and lungs were involved followed by pericardium and heart(75%), ribs(75%), aorta(66.66%).In 58.33% victims vessels in neck were involved and in 58.33% of victims pharynx were also involved. In 50 % if victims oesphagus,theoric vertebrae and major abdominal blood vessels were involved.In 41.66 % victims of explosive injuries,cervical vertebrae , thoracic cord,Pancreas,stomach,lumber vertebrae,spleen and bones of upper extremities were involved.In one third of victims (33.33%) small intestine, large intestine,uraniry bladder,joints of upper extremity, muscles and vessels of lower extremity were involved.In only one fourth (25%) of victim, bones and joints of lower extremity were injured. [b]CONCLUSION[/b]: In view of the complexities created by the introduction of newer and newer improvised and conventional firearms and explosives in most of the areas, the establishment of various facts in a cases of firearm death, such as the type of weapon used, the range of firing, the direction of fire, the number of shots fired, wound of entry and exit and the damage to vital parts and the like, have become fraught with serious and many difficulties and complexities for the Forensic Pathologists and ballistic experts
Authors and Affiliations
Rajeev Kumar
Keywords
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- EP ID EP106553
- DOI 10.14260/jemds/1486
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