The body of a man was seen floating in a lake near the shore. Once the body was recovered, a number of important features were noted. Early putrefactive decomposition with bloating and slippage of the skin was evident. The body was fully clothed and all garments were in place and intact. A diver’s weight belt was around the waist. A heavy chain was looped around the neck and fastened around the waist, over the top of the weight belt. A gunshot wound was in the right sideburn area. Another gunshot wound was in the left temporal scalp.
Fig.1 The body of a man was seen floating in a lake near the shore.
Fig.2 Early putrefactive decomposition with bloating and slippage of the skin was evident.
Fig.3 A diver’s weight belt was around the waist.
The initial impression was that this was a homicide. An autopsy disclosed that the gunshot wound on the right was an entrance wound and the gunshot wound on the left was an exit wound. The radiograph of the head confirmed that no projectile fragments remained in the head. The decedent’s wallet was in his back pocket, and it contained a driver’s license. Further investigation disclosed that he was an unemployed tugboat captain who had recently been turned down for a job. The mate to the chain around his neck and waist was found at his home. His handgun was missing and was never found. His flashlight was along the shore, not far from the body. His girlfriend indicated that he was feeling old and “dumpy.” The cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.
Fig.4 A gunshot wound was in the right sideburn area.
Fig.5 The gunshot wound on the left was an exit wound.
Fig.6 The gunshot wound on the right was an entrance wound.
Fig.7 A radiograph of the head.
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