Archiv für Kriminologie
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Archiv für Kriminologie · May 1996
[Marks on clothing and skin in absolutely and relatively close distance gunshots with fright weapons].
Based on an actual case to be examined-the victim had sustained burning and powder tattooing of the abdominal skin--test shots were performed with blank cartridge guns (Mauser and Umarex revolvers, cal. 380) in order to study the changes occurring on textiles in the area of contact and close range shots. As expected, the extent of burning and smoke soiling depended on whether the propellant of the blank cartridges consisted of nitrocellulose (Nc) or black powder. ⋯ Contact or near contact shots produced tear-like tissue damages due to the pressure of the discharged muzzle gases. When black powder cartridges were used, burn holes larger than the caliber were observed; with Nc blank cartridges the thermal effects were most pronounced if textiles made of thermolabile synthetics were shot at.
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A 55-year-old man was found dead sitting at his work-bench. A pistol Parabellum 1908 (9 mm Luger) was disassembled on the work-table. A pack of 9 mm Luger full metal jacket ammunition was opened. ⋯ The bullet showed traces of manipulation. In the house there were found other self-made dumdum-bullets. Death could be explained as an accident while cleaning the pistol.
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Archiv für Kriminologie · Mar 1996
Case Reports[Accidental CO poisoning by operating a charcoal grill].
In the hut of a garden plot a male body of at first unknown identity was found. Although a natural death was assumed, autopsy was ordered by the court because of the unclear identity. ⋯ To reconstruct the case, measurements of the carbon monoxide concentration in the air of the room were carried through after starting the charcoal grill. The results showed that within 60 min. the carbon monoxide content rose to 0.21% by volume and thus clearly exceeded the limit of 0.1% by volume considered as lethal.
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Guns may occasionally leave traces on human skin, for example by compression/impression of the tissue (esp. in the area of livores), by contact-transfer of dirt, oil, and rust, or by forming the pattern of blood-smears. The case of a 31-year-old drug-addict is presented in detail: The man committed suicide by shooting himself (entrance hole under the chin). When the dead body was found there was no weapon at the scene. By careful securing of evidence and analyzing the pattern of metallisations (identified as rust from the old pistol) it was reconstructed that the suicident held the pistol (identified as Russian Tokarew TT33-7.62 mm) in his hand for many hours postmortem until it was removed by an unknown thief.
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Archiv für Kriminologie · Mar 1996
Case Reports[Blank firearms--an underestimated weapon class. Dangerousness, mechanical effect and legal classification].
The dangers posed to individuals by blank-cartridge guns are frequently underestimated by German courts. A description is given to the effects, specific dangers and typical consequences of injuries caused by the use of these weapons, inclusion of blank guns in the catalogue of terms applying to weapons law and penal law as well as individual questions of penal decisions regarding their use against man. The paper comes to the conclusion that it is hardly possible to doubt any more the not insignificant probability and objective foreseeability of severe or even fatal injuries when blank guns are used against people.