[hermantheshocker]

Japan. A 53-year-old male was found dead, lying in a lateral position after an explosion outside. The body was at a distance of 3 m (9.8 ft) from a circular hollow in the ground, which had been formed by an explosion. The hollow measured 25 cm (9.8") in diameter and 8 cm (3.1") in depth at the center. Around the hollow, more than 100 metallic fragments were found, while copper debris was found inside it. The experts restored the collected metallic fragments and identified the explosive device as a 66 mm M72 HEAT rocket.


Fig.1 Anterior and posterior surfaces.


Fig.2 Face injuries.

The victim was a military goods collector of older pieces that are not used today. He had collected various cast-off military weapons, including firearms and ammunition, and was selling them at a flea market. He had often polished military supplies in this yard. It seems that prior to the explosion he had scrubbed something in the yard. Furthermore, in his car parked nearby, a number of used military weapons, including 66 mm M72 HEAT rockets, were found. The victim had neither mental disease nor a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Furthermore, he had neither a motive for committing suicide nor a history of terrorist acts.


Fig.3 Injuries on the chest and abdomen.


Fig.4 Anterior and posterior side of the right forearm.

There were numerous lacerations and abrasions on the anterior side of the body. The injuries were irregular with charred edges, with small debris and metallic fragments on the interior. There were severe injuries on the face; the skin was avulsed from the bone, which shaped a pocket between skin and bone. Both eyeballs were ruptured; furthermore, perirhinal bone and soft tissues were extensively crushed. The anterior cranial fossa was fractured, and periorbital tissues were pushed into the intracranial cavity. The inferior surface of the frontal lobes had cerebral contusions and slight subarachnoid hemorrhage over both cerebral hemispheres. The right anterior horn of the thyroid cartilage was fractured with a slight hemorrhage of cervical deep muscles.


Fig.5 Fragments of the 66 mm M72 HEAT rocket device recovered at the scene of the explosion. Schematic illustration and inner-structure of the 66 mm M72 HEAT rocket.

Multiple peppering injuries from numerous small missiles, causing lacerations and abrasions, were distributed diffusely on the anterior chest and abdomen. The lacerations partly proved puncture wounds of various sizes and depths with blackened burns. The skin of the chest was widely avulsed from the thorax bone, and the ribs and clavicle were fractured with slight hemorrhage. The internal organs had no injury except for slight bleeding on the surface of the liver and lungs.

Extremities were also severely crushed and fractured, especially bilateral hands, left toe, and right knee. The anterior surface of the upper extremities was seriously damaged, but the posterior one was intact. Both forearms had fractures of ulnae and radius with burned skin and muscles. Two right-hand fingers were found 3 m (9.8 ft) from the body. The right thigh and leg were connected only by a small area of skin in the right lateral part of the knee. Left toes were severely crushed. The insides of the lower extremities had peppering injuries.


Fig.6 Microscopic appearance of the blast lung. Middle: Perihilar hemorrhage. Bottom: Peripheral emphysema with shredded alveolar walls. (hematoxyline–eosin stain).

Microscopic investigation of the lungs revealed peripheral emphysema and shredded alveolar walls with alveolar hemorrhage of the central field. Toxicological blood test was negative, including the test for ethyl alcohol. Based on the consistency of the injuries with an explosion scenario, it was concluded that all the injuries mentioned were caused by the explosion.


Fig.7 The supposed body position at the moment of explosion. Top right: Illustration of the explosion-related injuries.

An explosion can cause various injuries. Some are directly due to high-energy and high-temperature burst waves and some are related to collateral or secondary injuries from flying objects set in motion by the explosion. The type of injury depends on both the type and size of an explosion and the distance from the explosive device. Victims near the hypocenter are most vulnerable to the blast wave, whereas victims away from the hypocenter might suffer secondary injuries. To be efficient, military weapons concentrate tremendous power on the target. Hence the victims can suffer extensive injury.

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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.

[SimoneFlen']

Gnarly shit! Excellent as always, mate.

[Aischa123]

[ride]

Ka-Fuckin-BOOM! Worked as advertised. Only 75 years too late.

Good Find, Herm.

[imbok]

That's one hard way to learn a lesson about live ammunition.

[rohmell]

Mr. HermanTheShocker,
I thoroughly enjoy the pictures, diagrams, medical and scientific descriptions that you provide in your posts.
To me, they are very educational, and I appreciate all of the effort and research that you put into your posts.
Thanks again for posting this excellent content.

[Johnthejedi24]

Originally Posted by ride ↗

Ka-Fuckin-BOOM! Worked as advertised. Only 75 years too late.

Good Find, Herm.

The M72 LAW came out in the early 60s, not 1945 and is continuing to be produced in new variations.

[Vixənn]

Originally Posted by Johnthejedi24 ↗

The M72 LAW came out in the early 60s, not 1945 and is continuing to be produced in new variations.

does it really matter?

[mr_feelgood]

I love the super thin eye bar for mr.Wong. since they have small eyes

[jintsy]

His gram-papa-son probably died exactly the same way on the island of Peleliu a few years back courtesy of Eugene Sledge.