Fatal brain injury caused by the free-flying blade of a knife - case report and evaluation of the unusual weapon

A man suffered a fatal injury from a self-inflicted accident while handling a special type of knife. A spring in the shaft of the knife accelerated th e blade, which perforated the orbital cavity and the frontal lobe at the ri ght side. Death was due to central disregulation. The initial velocity of t he blade was measured to be 15 m/s. In a total of 20 experimental shots to a fresh pig cadaver, the blade always penetrated the skin and 5-10 cm of so ft tissue as long as the distance did not exceed 1 m. Thin layers of bone w ere also perforated. The free flight of the blade did not remain stable if the distance was more than 1 m. which resulted in superficial wounds only. So this unusual construction resembling a knife can be considered an effect ive combat weapon for close range fighting instead of a tool.