Skip to main content

Wausau, Wisconsin, USA. This individual shot himself in the head with an upward trajectory. The man was determined to shoot himself in the head with a rifle after an argument with his girlfriend, who was at the scene when the shooting occurred. Gunshot injuries of the head may produce significant impact spatter.

Fig.1 View of victim in his bedroom with massive head trauma from self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The study of its location and distribution in conjunction with wound characteristics and path of the projectile(s) can assist with the distribution of this blood spatter, with the reconstruction of the shooting, and with the distinction between homicide, suicide, or accident. The quantity and distribution of blood spatter, skull fragments, and brain tissue are typical of this type of massive head trauma that essentially evacuates the contents of the skull. The wide distribution of impact spatter and projectile penetration on the ceiling assists with the orientation of the weapon and position of the victim at the time the weapon was discharged.

Fig.2 View of wall of bedroom behind and above victim showing impact spatter and projected bloodstains.

Fig.3 Distribution of impact spatter on ceiling above victim in bedroom. Closer view of impact spatter with projectile and tissue (bone) penetration on ceiling.

Latest posts

Fig.1 Skin burns on a victim of lysol suicide.

Skin burns on a victim of lysol suicide

| Suicide | No Comments
Skin burns on a victim of lysol suicide. The trickle pattern makes it obvious that the victim was…
Fig.1 Greenish white molds on the forehead, right side of the cheek, perioral, and perinasal areas, and anterior part of neck, and chest.

Fungal growth on a corpse

| Decomposition | No Comments
A 42-year-old woman was discovered dead, the body was covered with fungal plaques. She had been leading a…
Fig.1 Contact wound, between the eyes from a .357 Magnum revolver.

Contact wound between the eyes from a .357 Magnum revolver

| Gunshot, Suicide | No Comments
Massive injuries from contact handgun wounds of the head, when they do occur, are associated with Magnum calibers,…
Fig.1 Contact blanching on the back of the body depicting a pistol.

Contact blanching on the back of the body depicting a pistol

| Decomposition | No Comments
This individual died lying on top of a gun. The patterned appearance of the gun is seen because…