Archiv für Kriminologie
-
Archiv für Kriminologie · Jul 2004
[Traumatic potential of colour marking cartridges (FX ammunition)].
Colour marking cartridges as the FX ammunition (Simunition Europe, Brussels) are increasingly used by the police for realistic close range combat training. Conversion kits for service weapons of different manufacturers are available. ⋯ Small hematomas up to superficial lacerations are to be expected only in areas over a bony support. Shots to the unprotected eye will result in severe injuries.
-
Archiv für Kriminologie · Mar 2004
Case Reports[Suicidal shot in the mouth with a rubber shot shell].
The purpose of weapons designed for self-defence and their ammunition is to allow effective defence without causing serious injury provided that the recommended minimum firing distance is observed. However, close-range and contact shots to vulnerable body regions may cause severe or even fatal injuries. ⋯ GC 54, from which a Mini Gomm-Cogne, cal. 12/50 rubber shot shell was fired. The wound findings and ballistic characteristics of the weapon are presented and discussed.
-
Archiv für Kriminologie · Jan 2003
Case Reports Historical Article[Suicidal yew poisoning--from Caesar to today--or suicide instructions on the internet].
Already the Celts and ancient Germanic peoples knew about the poisonousness of the yew, which played an important part in the mythology of these civilizations. For hunting, the arrows were made poisonous with yew juice, and yew leaves were used for homicide and suicide. In modern times taxine is rarely used with suicidal intent, although this method is actually recommended on the respective Websites. ⋯ At the forensic autopsy pieces of the partially crushed, partially completely preserved yew leaves were found in the stomach. The histological findings were unspecific, e.g. marked general blood congestion of the internal organs and pronounced cerebral and pulmonary edema. When the tree leaves found in the stomach were viewed under the light microscope, a stoma typical of taxus was observed; chemical-toxicological investigations revealed 3,5-dimethoxyphenol in the gastric content, which is considered a marker for the ingestion of taxus.
-
In the medicolegal literature reports on homicides followed by suicide, especially in elderly people, are rare. In the present case, the victim, a 79-year-old woman, showed a rather unusual injury pattern: 3 gunshots to the head (with only 2 entrance wounds and 3 intracranial projectiles) and 2 stabs from a knife. ⋯ The police investigations and the autopsy findings suggested a combined homicide-suicide. The motive for the offense could be a so-called delusion of poverty associated with symptoms of depression.
-
Archiv für Kriminologie · Jul 2002
Case Reports[Evaluation of atypical stab and incision wounds in a case of combined suicidal injuries].
A fatal case of stabbing and cutting is reported which involved a 37-year-old male who suffered from depressive disorder and had already attempted suicide in the past. The postmortem examination revealed 12 lacerations of the scalp, 5 deep incised wounds on the flexor surface of the right forearm, 3 stab wounds of the back of the head, 12 stab wounds of the chest (with cutting of ribs but no injury of heart and lungs), 35 stab wounds of the abdomen and deep incised wounds of both sides of the neck with hesitation marks and incision of the left internal jugular vein. The significance of criteria to properly establish the manner of death like localization, axis and pattern of the wounds, hesitation marks, defense wounds, pulling aside the clothing to expose the target area, sustained capacity of physical activity and potential lethal effects of the single injuries as well as conclusions from the scene of death are discussed.