Suicide with a homemade 12-gauge shotgun cartridge filled with screws, nuts, and other metal objects

The image shows a wound caused by a flare gun that fired a homemade 12-gauge shotgun cartridge filled with screws, nuts, and other small metal objects. Although it is not known if all the satellite defects surrounding the central defect are the result of powder particles or small metal projectiles, it is clear that the victim’s hair, which has been partially shaved, shielded the scalp from gunshot residue and small projectile impact. Note the difference between the upper, shaved scalp area and the forehead.