Self-infliction of faked gunshot wounds in absence of overt psychopathology

Self-inflicted injuries: Three case reports

The means by which people self-harm are diverse and so are the motives that drive them. They are intended for personal gain which may be psychological, legal or material. Fabricated injuries may be self-inflicted or permitted by others. We present three cases of fabricated injuries over the shoulder and upper limbs both alleging assault with a firearm. In all the cases meticulous examination elicited suspicion on how these were caused. Meticulous examination is essential to differentiate true from false accusations so that no innocent person is punished.

An unusual lethal gunshot wound to the head

Atypical gunshot wounds present a challenge for the forensic expert, and sometimes differentiating these from a blunt trauma can be difficult. A careful crime scene investigation can be helpful in finding additional evidence and clarifying the nature of the injuries. We describe a case of an unusual craniocerebral injury that was initially interpreted as a blow from a wooden object. The appearance of the wound lacked the classical characteristics of entrance and exit bullet wounds, but the investigation showed it was due to the ricocheting of a destabilized bullet. Potentially lethal, craniocerebral gunshot injuries are a common occurrence in developing countries even in non-conflict areas, with very bad outcomes even when treated aggressively in specialized neurosurgical facilities. The authors briefly discuss similar cases and opinions in the relevant literature, emphasizing the importance of a rational approach during the reconstruction of the crime scene.