P. Betz et al., FREQUENCY OF BLOOD SPATTERS ON THE SHOOTING HAND AND OF CONJUNCTIVAL PETECHIAE FOLLOWING SUICIDAL GUNSHOTS WOUNDS TO THE HEAD, Forensic science international, 76(1), 1995, pp. 47-53
A total of 103 suicidal and 29 homicidal gunshot fatalities were evalu
ated. In 42% of the suicides, characteristic findings like blood spatt
ers and/or powder soilings, could be found on the shooting hand by nak
ed-eye inspection indicating the importance of an accurate examination
of the deceased's hands at autopsy for a preliminary diagnosis. Petec
hial hemorrhages of the conjunctivae due to the gas pressure after dis
charge of the weapon were observed in 22% of those cases with contact
shot wounds to the head/neck, but not in cases of distant shot injurie
s following the use of non-high velocity ammunition. Therefore, conjun
ctival petechiae can be regarded as an additional but optional sign of
contact head shots in cases without alterations possibly influencing
the development of conjunctival pin-point bleedings. The evidence of s
uch findings can be of practical importance if the entrance shot wound
cannot be examined for whatever reason.