Metal dust deposition in a shotgun wound associated with barrel modification

Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology
Andrew S Williams, Matthew J Bowes

Abstract

Contact-range gunshot wounds commonly demonstrate deposition of black soot in and around the wound. Deposition of other visible pigments originating from the firearm has not been specifically described. In the current case, an adult male was found dead adjacent to a shotgun fixed in a vice grip with a modified, shortened barrel. A handheld, powered, metal grinding wheel was nearby. Autopsy revealed an intraoral gunshot wound, including soot deposition in and around the mouth and within the wound track. In addition, there was a peculiar, gray, lustrous film on the lips, gingiva, and anterior teeth. The material was concentrated around the most severe areas of injury in the anterior mouth and easily rubbed off with a cotton swab. It was not visualized in the rest of the mouth and not present in the larynx, or the esophagus. Overall, our opinion is that this unique, gray, lustrous film represents deposition of fine metallic dust that accumulated in the barrel of the shotgun during its modification with the grinding wheel. This type of unique pigment deposition should be recognized by forensic pathologists as possibly being related to the discharge of a firearm with a recently modified barrel or other cause for fine metallic dust a...Continue Reading

References

Apr 20, 2006·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Rufeng BaiZhihua Ma
Mar 9, 2007·International Journal of Legal Medicine·M Grosse PerdekampS Pollak
Aug 30, 2011·Forensic Science International : Synergy·E J VermeijR R R Gerretsen
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Sep 22, 2012·Forensic Science International : Synergy·D GibelliC Cattaneo
Feb 15, 2013·International Journal of Legal Medicine·Ru-feng BaiMei-sen Shi

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