State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Department of Pathology, 750 E Adams St, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
Cook County Office of the Medical Examiner, 2121 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
J Forensic Leg Med. 2021 Apr;79:102135. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102135. Epub 2021 Feb 23.
The autopsy features of gunshot wounds can be useful in understanding the manner of death. This research aims to provide concrete data to help to discriminate between homicide and suicide based on specific autopsy findings. A search of the database of the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office from August 2014 through April 2019 identified 3491 deaths due to gunshot wounds. Deaths due to complication from delayed fatal gunshot wounds, subjects who received hospital care prior to death, and decomposed bodies were identified and excluded. The following data were recorded: manner of death, demographic data, firearm and bullet type, number and location of gunshot wounds, range of fire, toxicology, and additional injuries. The study primary focused on the analysis of the bullet trajectory. A course leftward-upward-backward was the most frequent observed trajectory in suicides; a course rightward-upward-frontward was the most frequent observed trajectory in homicides. When the internal trajectory of a bullet is interpreted in the light of all available evidence it can impeach or corroborate witness statements and highlight consistencies as well inconsistencies in investigative reports and scene examinations.
枪击伤的尸检特征有助于了解死亡方式。本研究旨在提供具体数据，以帮助根据特定的尸检结果区分他杀和自杀。从 2014 年 8 月到 2019 年 4 月，对库克县法医办公室数据库进行了检索，确定了 3491 例因枪击伤而死亡的案例。排除了因延迟性致命枪击伤并发症、死亡前接受过医院治疗和尸体腐烂的案例。记录了以下数据：死亡方式、人口统计学数据、枪支和子弹类型、枪击伤的数量和位置、射击范围、毒理学和其他损伤。本研究主要集中在对子弹轨迹的分析上。在自杀案件中，最常见的子弹轨迹是向左上方后方；在他杀案件中，最常见的子弹轨迹是向右上方前方。当根据所有现有证据解释子弹的内部轨迹时，它可以质疑或证实证人的陈述，并突出调查报告和现场检查中的一致性和不一致性。
