Notice the linear tears extending laterally from the corners of this individuals mouth after the tremendous force imparted by the expulsion of a projectile from the gun. The discharge of a weapon involves the release not only of a projectile but of hot gas under high pressure as well. If the lips are sealed around the barrel, the rapid expansion of departed gases causes the cheeks to balloon far beyond their elastic capacity. This results in the characteristic tears seen in the figures.
Fig.1 Fracture of maxilla and extensive tears around the mouth in a suicide case with a high-velocity firearm.
Fig.2 This graphic depicts the dynamics of a firearm discharged into the mouth. The gases expand the cheeks of the victim causing the splitting around the lips.
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