Fatal penetrating abdominal injury by a metallic projectile. Issue 1 (2nd August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mittal, Chaitanya; Vempalli, Seshagiri Raju; Kanchan, Tanuj; Shekhawat, Raghvendra Singh
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 67:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 370
• Page End: 373
• Publication Date: 2021-08-02
• Subjects: abdominal injury -- autopsy -- forensic pathology -- intestinal perforation -- penetrating injury -- sharp metal injury; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14828
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

Abstract: Penetrating abdominal injury is often a life‐threatening condition, which is mainly associated with inflicted injuries. Fatal self‐inflicted sharp force abdominal injuries too have been reported in the literature. Inadvertent penetrating abdominal injuries are a rarity and are caused by sharp objects of low‐velocity and often nonmissile‐type. A 27‐year‐old male factory worker was brought dead to the emergency department with an alleged history of sustaining abdominal injury by a sharp metal projectile while working on a metal cutting grinder. Autopsy observations were consistent with the history of inadvertent penetrating injury. Our case reports a fatal missile‐type inadvertent sharp force trauma over the abdomen with intestinal perforation, a relatively uncommon scenario in occupational/workplace settings. The present case report describes the significance of the death scene visit and corroborating the medical findings with investigating agencies. This case further emphasizes on the need for adopting proper safety measures at the workplace.