[hermantheshocker]

Head injuries from shotguns and high-powered rifles are typically quite devastating, often with extensive soft tissue destruction, skull fractures, and pulpifaction of the brain. Occasionally, the brain is largely expelled from the cranial vault and may be found near the body.


Fig.1 At the scene, note the severe cranial injuries and surrounding environmental blood and tissue staining.

This young man committed suicide by inflicting a contact shotgun-type injury with a round of buckshot loaded into a “bangstick”. A bangstick is a weapon that can be used in hunting alligators or protecting oneself from sharks. When the pipe-like end of the metal bangstick is rapidly thrust against a surface, it fires a single round. At the scene, note the severe cranial injuries and surrounding environmental blood and tissue staining. Also, note that although there was extensive trauma and immediate incapacitation, the weapon stayed grasped in the victim’s hands.


Fig.2 Extreme amount of cranial destruction.


Fig.3 Reapproximation of the calvarium, scalp, and facial tears confirmed a frontal entrance wound.


Fig.4 Reconstruction of the wound can be very important to determine particular wound characteristics.

Despite the extreme amount of cranial destruction, careful and meticulous reapproximation of the calvarium, scalp, and facial tears allows for the demonstration and confirmation of a frontal entrance wound. Reconstruction of the wound can be very important to determine particular wound characteristics in cases of alleged homicide.


Fig.5 Buckshot and birdshot shells.

Buckshot is the largest type of “shot” loaded in shotgun shells and a typical buckshot load consists of multiple medium diameter pellets. There are many different types and variations of buckshot currently in use, but 12 gauge “00” (“double-aught”) buckshot consisting of 9 (sometimes more) .33 caliber pellets, is the most common. As the name would suggest, buckshot was originally designed for use on medium-sized species of game such as deer. That being said, buckshot is absolutely devastating when used at close range.

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This post is for educational purposes only and is nonprofit. Under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act of 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. OP is not a medical expert. No copyright infringement intended. This post does not encourage or glorify violence/harassment. Images might have been upscaled and enhanced. Text might have been shortened and simplified/reorganized for online view. Original case report by Dolinak D., Matshes E. - CRC Press 2002.

[pinballwiz]

The buck stops with buckshot!

[K53]

Closed caskets are required in these suicides

[rohmell]

Thanks again for another interesting and informative post.

[REVZZYBAN]

He felt cheated because he had no brain so therefore he couldn’t think things out when making wise decisions.

Does that make sense?

[Mongolian60]

Looks like he turned his head to Pooh.

[William May]

Originally Posted by K53 ↗

Closed caskets are required in these suicides

Well, you could still have the lower half of the casket opened, but no one really wants to see pants and shoes, so why bother.

[rambbb]

WOW. instant death

[trean362]

That sure did the job

[icehole]

fig.1
should've used that umbrella to prevent splats