Shotgun shooting in northern India--a review (1980-1999)

Shotgun wounds: a review of range and location as pertaining to manner of death

Shotguns are used in a considerable number of homicides and suicides, and while gunshot wounds are extensively reported in the literature, there is a paucity of shotgun deaths. To specifically study deaths by shotguns, all deaths due to shotguns examined at the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office between 1988 and 2005 were reviewed. The cases were evaluated by age and sex of the victim, wound location, wound range, and manner of death. Three hundred eighty-seven cases were evaluated, composed of 343 males and 44 females, with 180 homicides, 203 suicides, 3 accidents, and 1 undetermined manner of death. Contact wounds were the most common range in suicides and the head was the most common location. For homicides, the most common range of fire was distant, and the most prevalent distributions of wounds were head, chest, and multiple wound locations. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between homicide and suicide wound locations and ranges, and then odds ratios were generated. Knowledge of the statistical distribution of shotgun wounds in a large series with respect to range of fire and wound location may be of assistance to the medical examiner in evaluating the circumstances of an individual case to arrive at a manner-of-death opinion.

Fatal firearm wounds: A retrospective study in Bari (Italy) between 1988 and 2003

Fatal gunshot injuries are routinely encountered by forensic pathologists practicing in Southern Italy. Bari, the capital city of the Italian region known as Apulia, is a leader with regard to the number of firearm deaths in Italy. This is mainly attributable to local organized crime groups which control a variety of illicit activities. This retrospective study analyzes autopsy data related to fatal firearm wounds, handled by the Institute of Legal Medicine [University of Bari], between 1988 and 2003. A total of 717 cases were selected and classified as follows: firearm homicides (634); suicides (82); and accidental death (1). A significant number of variables have been reviewed such as: month in which the violent event took place; the victims' nationalities; gender and age of victims; site and number of entrance wounds; weapon type used; and manner of death (i.e. homicide; suicide; accidental). Analysis has revealed a homicide versus suicide ratio of almost 8:1. Victims were mostly male with a lower mean age than in other similar studies. Homicides with multiple gunshot wounds were more common than ones with single entrance wounds. For example, in one case, 30 entrance wounds were identified in the murder of a gang boss. Four suicides with two entrance gunshot wounds were identified. Handguns were the most frequently used weapon in all groups (i.e. homicide, suicide, and accidental), with 7.65 mm and 9 mm being the most common calibres. This study revealed a very low incidence of suicide among females. Mental and other types of illness, as well as financial stress were the apparent motives which prompted most of the suicide victims. The homicide cases described were most often related to continual, ongoing fights among local criminal gangs (75%).