A case of hunting death due to an overpenetrated bullet

Boar hunt or Manhunt? fatality during a wild boar hunting expedition. Need for a multidisciplinary forensic approach

Hunting is commonly regarded as a prevalent leisure activity in many Western countries. Moreover, hunting-related shooting injuries and fatalities are an important issue in the forensic world. However, there is limited research investigating the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to provide a thorough analysis of these deaths. Being able to distinguish between homicide and accidental death is crucial in hunting-related incidents. In cases of hunting incidents, it also becomes essential to identify the shooter among the participants of the hunting expedition. The authors report a case of death occurred during a wild boar hunting expedition. The autopsy revealed a penetrating gunshot wound that tore the internal iliac artery and caused massive blood loss. A careful and detailed examination of the events leading up to the hunter's death revealed that the bullet first hit a wild boar and then, due to the deflection of the bullet on the animal's humerus, the victim. These deductions represent the culmination of an exhaustive forensic investigation led by experts in multiple scientific and forensic disciplines.

A web-based e-learning programme for training external post-mortem examination in curricular medical education

In Germany, the external post-mortem examination is considered a medical duty and may be performed by any licensed physician. Concerning legal medicine as a curricular subject in teaching medical students, the external post-mortem examination is regarded a core area. At the University of Müenster, 15 virtual cases of death have been developed by using the web-based Inmedea Simulator. The programme allows performing all relevant steps in executing a complete external post-mortem examination. A particular importance was attached to the aspect of training users in approaching the subject in a systematic way to interpret significant forensic findings correctly and to comprehend their medico-legal implications. The programme was used for the first time in the academic term of 2010/2011. The overall reception of the programme by the medical students resulted to be positive in a first evaluation.

Trauma potential and ballistic parameters of cal. 9 mm P.A. dummy launchers

INTRODUCTION

Blank cartridge actuated dummy launching devices are used by migratory bird hunters to train dogs to retrieve downed birds. The devices create a loud noise while simultaneously propelling a hard foam dummy for retrieval. A newly developed dummy launcher is based on a modified cal. 9 mm P.A. blank handgun with an extension tube pinned and welded to the barrel imitation. Currently, there are no experimental investigations on the ballistic background and trauma potential of these uncommon shooting devices.

METHODS

An experimental test set-up consisting of a photoelectric infrared light barrier was used for measurement of the velocity of hard foam dummies propelled with an automatic dummy launcher. Ballistic parameters of the dummies and an aluminium sleeve as improvised projectile (kinetic energy (E), impulse (p), energy density (E') and threshold velocity (v(tsh)) to cause penetrating wounds as a function of cross-sectional density (S)) were calculated.

RESULTS

The average velocity (v) of the dummies was measured 25.71 m/s exerting an average impulse (p) of 3.342 Ns. The average kinetic energy (E) was calculated 43.04 J with an average energy density (E') of 0.069 J/mm(2). The average velocity (v) of the aluminium sleeves as improvised projectiles was measured 79.58 m/s exerting an average impulse (p) of 2.228 Ns. The average kinetic energy (E) of the aluminium sleeves was calculated as 88.70 J with an average energy density (E') of 0.282 J/mm(2).

CONCLUSION

The energy delivered by these shooting devices is high enough to cause relevant injuries. The absence of skin penetration must not mislead the emergency physician or forensic expert into neglecting the potential damage from these devices.

Suicide by shooting with a tiling hammer

Reports of cases involving self-made firearms are rare. This report discusses an unusual case involving a 36-year-old man found dead by the bank of a lake with a suspected gunshot wound. A gas pistol, calibre 9 mm, was found in the lake. A metal pipe with a hammer was also found but not initially identified as the causative weapon. The investigation focussed on the gas pistol until tests revealed that this had never been fired. Attention then turned to the metal tube and hammer. A reconstruction of the weapon revealed that the victim had constructed a unique functional device activated via a hammer used in his occupation as a tiler. It was concluded that the man had committed suicide. This is a highly unusual suicide case due to the discovery of more than one weapon at the scene and the use of a self-made firearm. The findings of this case would be of interest to forensic scientists, pathologists and the police.