The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 2003
Case ReportsPseudo-gunpowder stippling caused by fragmentation of a plated bullet.
In this report we present a case of pseudo-gunpowder stippling caused by fragmentation of a plated bullet. Investigation of the incident revealed absence of an interposed target, no evidence of ricochet, and a normally functioning, undamaged weapon. Electroplated ("plated" or "coated") bullets are relatively uncommon. ⋯ In certain instances, the plating may strip away from the lead core during transit through the barrel of the weapon and can produce injuries that mimic gunpowder stippling. Forensic pathologists are advised to be aware of this phenomenon. Misinterpretation of such wounds could result in improper classification of range of fire or improper conclusions about the presence or absence of an interposed target or ricochet.
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Positional asphyxia, a fatal condition arising because of the adoption of particular body positions, causing mechanical interference with pulmonary ventilation, can occur in various circumstances that are likely to come under the observation of the specialist in legal medicine (work, car accidents, torture, kidnapping, etc.). It is difficult to diagnose the cause of death in such cases because they generally present with an aspecific anatomopathologic picture. ⋯ The diagnosis of positional asphyxia is essentially based on 3 criteria: the body position must obstruct normal gas exchange, it must be impossible to move to another position, and other causes of natural or violent death must be excluded. To illustrate the main physiopathologic and diagnostic causes of positional asphyxia, the authors report 2 cases taken from the records of events that came under the observation of the Medico-Legal Sector of Bari University Hospital throughout the last 10 years.