Skip to main content

Contact-range discharge to the left side of the neck (12 G shotgun, homicide). (left image) Exit site on the right lateral neck. (right image) Entrance wound with longitudinal splitting laceration toward the angle of jaw and soot staining in the depth.

Fig.1

Smooth-bore firearms or shotguns have a completely different profile of injuries as compared to rifled firearms. This difference is determined primarily by the type of projectiles in the shotgun. Shotgun cartridges consist of multiple projectiles that disperse a short distance from the muzzle, leading to more extensive damage. The penetrating power of each projectile is, however, reduced.

Shotguns, in general, also propel the flame for a distance of 15 cm, smoke and gas for 30 cm, unburnt particles, and metal scraps for 60 cm. The contact injuries appear similar to a rifled firearm, in both pressed and loose, as well as with underlying bone and soft tissue. In pressed or firm contact injuries, the skin may present with a double muzzle imprint from the double barrels.

Latest posts

Fig.1 State of the corpse.

Woman found mummified in her apartment

| Decomposition, Suicide | No Comments
A woman was found dead in her apartment in January 2009. She had not been seen for 40…
Fig.1 Complete body transection, across abdomen, sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Complete body transection across abdomen and decapitation

| Accident | No Comments
This individual died from a complete body transection across abdomen, and decapitation in a motorcycle accident. Blunt-force abdominal…
Fig.1 Italian medical students travel to Malta to practice cadaver face dissection.

Cadaver face dissection

| Medical | No Comments
This picture was taken by an Italian medical student during an autopsy on the island of Malta. Apparently,…
Fig.1 The so-called “burst head” effect from a shotgun.

The so-called “burst head” effect from a shotgun

| Gunshot, Suicide | No Comments
The "burst head" effect from a shotgun refers to extreme cranial trauma caused by a close-range shotgun blast…