Zur Morphologie der Bolzenschu�verletzung

Abstract

1 short synopsis deals with the general features peculiar to injuries by captive bolt "humane killer" (specifically the types with two opposite outlets for the explosion gases). When the bolt strikes the body at an acute angle, both the wound and the adjacent skin usually show some particular signs: normally the entrance hole is accompanied by two roundish or elliptic zones of blackening due to the diverging smoke conduits. Variations in shape and location of the foulings indicate an oblique holding of the instrument and often even reveal the degree of inclination. Another characteristic is caused by the conically grooved end of the steel bolt: the asymmetric sickle-shaped broadening of the "abrasion collar" reliably points out the direction of fire. Sometimes the entrance hole in the skull is accompanied by semicircular frame-like fracture lines which mostly are situated on the same side as the unilateral abrasion. The cauistic part includes one homicide and eight suicides. Among the latter group one case deserves special attention because the man in question was capable of shooting a second time into his forehead. Three persons tried to ensure the fatal outcome by combining the "humane killer" - injury with concommitant hanging.

Secondary skull fractures in head wounds inflicted by captive bolt guns: autopsy findings and experimental simulation

“…-An entrance hole at the site of penetration -Punched-out bone fragments from the cranial vault at the end of the wound channel and along the bolt's path -Bone fissures associated with the entrance hole (either radial or semicircular), mostly seen in angled shots [7,9,24,38] -Local bone destruction of the cranial basis if reached by the bolt (depending on its length, the entrance site and the direction of fire [45,46])…”

Planned complex suicide by penetrating captive-bolt gunshot and hanging: Case study and review of the literature

“…According to the method proposed by Pollak [15], knowing the angles formed by the gas conduits with the central axis of the weapon (b = 208 in Kerner models, Fig. 3A) and the distances between the blackened areas and the central skin defect (x and y in Fig.…”

“…The mortality rate of head injuries by slaughterer's guns is around 60% and depends primarily on the location and penetration of the bolt into the brain [15,21,22]. Generally these injuries cause an immediate loss of consciousness and if no vital structures are damaged (major blood vessels, brain stem) late death, usually due to infection complications, or survival with medium-high grade of handicap occurring [20,21].…”

“…Suicides by captive-bolt gun are quite rare and have been reported principally in the German speaking forensic literature [12][13][14][15][16][17][22][23][24].…”

“…Also, the association of gunshot wounds and hanging has frequently been reported in the English forensic literature [3,[9][10][11], whereas the use of a livestock stunner in combination with hanging has primarily been discussed in the German literature [12][13][14][15][16][17] and in forensic textbooks [18,19].…”