Once again: risk of injury caused by blank pistols

The nature and extent of the use of blank pistols in Hamburg (according to the Hamburg crime statistics about 300 to 400 such cases per year; 34 cases involving head and neck wounds from 1989 to 1999 were investigated at our institute; among these 8 suicides, no homicide) as well as patterns of inju...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inArchiv fur Kriminologie Vol. 207; no. 1-2; p. 26
Main Authors Püschel, K, Kulle, K J, Koops, E
Format Journal Article
LanguageGerman
Published Germany 01.01.2001
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Craniocerebral Trauma - pathology
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Firearms
Homicide - legislation & jurisprudence
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Skin - injuries
Skin - pathology
Suicide - legislation & jurisprudence
Wounds, Gunshot - pathology
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Summary:The nature and extent of the use of blank pistols in Hamburg (according to the Hamburg crime statistics about 300 to 400 such cases per year; 34 cases involving head and neck wounds from 1989 to 1999 were investigated at our institute; among these 8 suicides, no homicide) as well as patterns of injuries caused by close distance blank pistol shots were analysed. 7 of these cases are described in detail. The results of our studies corroborate the warning statements made by many criminological and medico-legal experts regarding the danger inherent in these allegedly harmless weapons. Blank cartridge pistols can, when shot from a close distance, cause most severe injuries involving penetration into body cavities and bodily organs (especially in the head and neck), and even perforation of the skull. Therefore, we call for a much stricter control of weapons of this kind.
ISSN:0003-9225