Suicide Via Multiple Shotgun Wounds: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Suicide via multiple gunshot wounds is an uncommonly encountered phenomenon, which is important to recognize in the forensic community. Suicide by multiple shotgun wounds is a fleeting rare entity with few previously reported cases in the literature. In a review of autopsies performed at our institu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of forensic medicine and pathology Vol. 44; no. 1; p. 59
Main Authors Giffen, Jr, Mark A, Blankenship, Heath, Harrison, William
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.03.2023
Subjects
Adult
Autopsy
Firearms
Forensic Medicine
Humans
Male
Multiple Trauma
Suicide
Wounds, Gunshot
Young Adult
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:Suicide via multiple gunshot wounds is an uncommonly encountered phenomenon, which is important to recognize in the forensic community. Suicide by multiple shotgun wounds is a fleeting rare entity with few previously reported cases in the literature. In a review of autopsies performed at our institution during a 20-year period from 2000 to 2020, only 4 prior cases of suicide by multiple gunshot wounds were identified with no previously recorded cases of suicide by multiple shotgun wounds. Here we describe the case of a 20-year-old man with a history of depression who was discovered deceased in his secured residence with shotgun wounds of the head, neck, and chest. Because of the presence of 3 shotgun wounds, coupled with concerning initial investigative findings, an autopsy was performed. We illustrate how careful examination of the wounds and thorough investigation can allow for reconstruction of a plausible self-inflicted wound scenario.
ISSN:1533-404X
DOI:10.1097/PAF.0000000000000785