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This photograph illustrates the devastating effect of a high-powered weapon placed into the mouth of a suicide victim. Note the destruction from the blast of the weapon. The teeth and mouth have been destroyed. Looks like there’s another person dead in the kitchen, I have no further info about this case, possibly it’s a murder-suicide, images from New York City Police Department Crime Scene Unit.

Fig.1 High-velocity bloodstain spatter.

Fig.2 The devastating effect of a high-powered weapon placed into the mouth of a suicide victim.

High-velocity bloodstains are created when the source of blood is subjected to a force with a velocity greater than 100 feet per second. The resulting stain is predominantly less than 1 mm in diameter, although smaller and larger stains may be observed. These types of stains are usually associated with gunshot injuries.

Fig.3 Another victim in the same scene, info unknown.

Fig.4 Note the destruction from the blast of the weapon. The head has been totally destroyed.

Centerfire rifles, whether military or hunting, frequently cause a strong ‘explosive’ effect with comminution of bones and laceration of brain tissue up to a so-called Kröhnlein shot (exenteratio cranii). Shotgun injuries differ substantially depending on the range of fire. Close-range shots have a tremendous effect similar to centrefire rifles by literally riddling brain tissue and blasting the skull. The high internal cranial pressure often leads to long skin tears, also detached from the bullet opening, as well as extensive bone fracture systems and brain tissue destruction.

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