Suicide by a rifle with a muzzle brake: a particular entrance wound. Issue 4 (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mercurio, Isabella; Capano, Daniele; Minervini, Paride; Gabbrielli, Mario
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of forensic sciences. Volume 51:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 395
• Page End: 406
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: Forensic science -- muzzle brake -- atypical wound -- rifle -- entrance wound -- suicide; Law -- Australia -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2017.1381762
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-0618

Abstract

Abstract: The authors describe a case in which a 21-year-old male committed suicide using a rifle equipped with a muzzle brake, placed in contact with his head. A muzzle brake for firearms is a device positioned at the mouth of a weapon, which dissipates the gases, that are generated subsequent to the gun being discharged. Generally, when a gun is pressed against an anatomical region, where the skin lies on the bone surface without interposition of other soft parts, the entrance wound consists of many lacerated branches, originating from a central lack of tissue. In this case report, the use of a rifle with a muzzle brake generated an unexpected wound, circular in shape, with a diameter of 0.8 cm. This lesion was surrounded by a bruised area, circular in shape, and an abrasion collar of the height of 0.5 cm. In addition, a muzzle imprint mark consisting of intradermal bruises, composed of a narrow red line concentrically encircling the entrance hole, was found. In order to analyze in detail if this particular entrance wound could be associated with a weapon equipped with the muzzle brake, ballistic tests – with weapons compatible with that used by the victim – were performed.