Complex suicide with black powder muzzle loading derringer

Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2012 Sep;8(3):296-300. doi: 10.1007/s12024-011-9304-z. Epub 2012 Jan 8.

Abstract

Planned complex suicide is defined as the combination of more than one method of suicide, previously planned by the victim, to prevent failure of the first method. Herein, we present a case of planned complex suicide, committed by a black powder muzzle loading handgun and hanging. A 39-year-old man was found dead in the bathroom of his flat, hanging by the neck with a huge atypical gunshot entrance in the right temporal region of his head with extensive backspatter. The skin defects, as well as soft tissues in the subcutaneous pocket undermining, were heavily burnt. Along the wound canal were multiple bone fragments, and at the end of the path at the left temple was an embedded lead ogival projectile with a cross shaped artificial incision at its tip. The hanging was incomplete. There were no fractures of the hyoid bone and laryngeal cartilages. Cervical muscles and vessels were intact. Simon's sign was negative. Signs of asphyxia were not present. This is the first reported case of complex suicide with a black powder derringer and manipulated projectile.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asphyxia / etiology
  • Autopsy
  • Burns / etiology
  • Cause of Death
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Forensic Ballistics / methods
  • Forensic Pathology / methods
  • Head Injuries, Penetrating / diagnosis
  • Head Injuries, Penetrating / etiology*
  • Head Injuries, Penetrating / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Suicide*
  • Wounds, Gunshot / diagnosis
  • Wounds, Gunshot / etiology*
  • Wounds, Gunshot / pathology