Skip to main content

This individual died after shooting himself under the chin with a hunting rifle. 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 Suicide with a hunting rifle.

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 centerfire 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.

Fig.2 This individual died after shooting himself under the chin with a hunting rifle.

Latest posts

Fig.18 Civilians who wanted to evacuate from the Kyiv region were shot down and burned.

The war in Ukraine

| Animal Scavenging, Decomposition, Explosion, Fire, Gunshot, Hanging, Homicide | No Comments
! Child death warning ! The Russia-Ukraine war, now entering its fourth year as of April 2025, has…
Fig.1 Dismembered torso.

Dismembered torso

| Homicide | No Comments
Dismembered torso in a homicide case. The severed neck of a dismembered torso must be inspected carefully for…
Fig.1 Bullet graze wound.

Bullet graze wound

| Gunshot | No Comments
This photo shows the effect of a bullet that has grazed the scalp. A bullet graze wound occurs…
Fig.1 Postmortem animal interference.

Postmortem animal interference

| Animal Scavenging | No Comments
This individual died and his body was scavenged by a cat, no further info. The phenomenon of postmortem…