Catastrophic disruption of the head after a distant range discharge. Homicide with a 30-06 Springfield rifle. Note petal like outward disruption of the head in all planes with expulsion of much of the brain. After reconstruction, the entry wound is now evident. All elongated curvilinear lacerations lead to a circular defect overlying the left mid-forehead area. Photographs were very low quality. No further info.
Head injuries from shotguns and high-powered rifles are typically quite devastating, often with extensive soft tissue destruction, skull fractures, and pulpifaction of the brain. Occasionally, the brain is largely expelled from the cranial vault and may be found near the body.
Fig.1 Catastrophic disruption of the head after a distant range discharge.
Despite the extreme amount of cranial destruction, careful and meticulous reapproximation of the calvarium, scalp, and facial tears allows for the demonstration and confirmation of the entrance wound. Reconstruction of the wound can be very important to determine particular wound characteristics in cases of alleged homicide.
Latest posts
