Cunliffe Clare H, Denton J Scott
Office of the Medical Examiner, Cook County, Chicago, IL, and Forensic Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
J Forensic Sci. 2008 Jan;53(1):216-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00621.x.
Zip guns and the atypical gunshot wounds they produce are rare in forensic pathology. Because of this, investigators and forensic pathologists may be unfamiliar with their construction, appearance, and the wounds associated with them. A 43-year-old mechanic, with a history of depression was found dead in a washroom stall at work with an atypical gunshot wound of the head. Upon initial investigation, no weapon was found at the scene. Due to the nature of the scene, and the unusual characteristics of the wound, the manner of death was at first thought to be a homicide. Subsequently, a simple zip gun, which had been overlooked during the scene investigation, was discovered by a co-worker while he was cleaning the stall. Examination of the wound revealed evidence of contact range firing. A markedly deformed bullet was recovered from the head, consistent with the use of the home-made gun. These findings, along with further police investigation and review of the past medical history, indicated that the manner of death was a suicide.
自制手枪及其造成的非典型枪伤在法医病理学中较为罕见。正因如此，调查人员和法医病理学家可能对其构造、外观以及与之相关的伤口并不熟悉。一名43岁的机械师，有抑郁症病史，被发现死于工作场所的洗手间隔间内，头部有一处非典型枪伤。初步调查时，现场未发现武器。鉴于现场情况以及伤口的异常特征，起初认为死因是他杀。随后，一名同事在清理隔间时发现了一把在现场勘查时被忽略的简易自制手枪。对伤口的检查显示有近距离射击的迹象。从头部取出了一枚严重变形的子弹，与使用自制枪支相符。这些发现，连同警方的进一步调查以及对既往病史的回顾，表明死因是自杀。
