J 2019

An Unplanned Complex Suicide by Multiple Blank Cartridge Gunshots and Cutting

KUČEROVÁ, Štěpánka, Lenka ZÁTOPKOVÁ, Tomáš VOJTÍŠEK, Michaela UBLOVÁ, Petr HEJNA et. al.

Basic information

Original name

An Unplanned Complex Suicide by Multiple Blank Cartridge Gunshots and Cutting

Authors

KUČEROVÁ, Štěpánka (203 Czech Republic, guarantor), Lenka ZÁTOPKOVÁ (203 Czech Republic), Tomáš VOJTÍŠEK (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Michaela UBLOVÁ (203 Czech Republic) and Petr HEJNA (203 Czech Republic)

Edition

Journal of Forensic Sciences, Hoboken, Wiley, 2019, 0022-1198

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

30501 Forensic science

Country of publisher

United States of America

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

Impact factor

Impact factor: 1.441

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14110/19:00110009

Organization unit

Faculty of Medicine

UT WoS

000460187200034

Keywords in English

forensic science; forensic pathology; blank cartridge gun; blank firing gun; multiple gunshot wounds; complex suicide

Tags

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 28/1/2020 11:00, Mgr. Tereza Miškechová

Abstract

V originále

Blank firing guns are readily accessible in most countries due to an absence of legal regulations. These weapons are capable of causing lethal injuries. We report a rare case of secondary (unplanned) complex suicide committed with a knife and blank cartridge pistol. A 59-year-old man was found dead with three superficial incisions in his neck and a gunshot wound to the chest. The external examination revealed an entrance wound in the left chest region consistent with contact shooting. The appearance of a muzzle imprint suggested two discharges. The autopsy showed a slightly hemorrhaged but otherwise intact pericardium, blood in the pericardial sac, and a channel-like defect in the anterior wall of the left cardiac ventricle. The cause of death was attributed to cardiac tamponade. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of unplanned complex suicide involving an unmodified blank firing gun.