[hermantheshocker]

Some of the stuff I work on doesn't make the cut so I thought about gathering them up in a single post. So basically it's images I have little or no info about or I've decided that they don't get their own thread, for example, because of low image/content quality, lack of backstory or additional info/knowledge, possibly uninteresting, only one image but not very special. I still do the usual image work including upscaling and color correction as needed, as I prefer to have my content high quality and educational.

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Case 1


Fig1.1 Postmortem animal predation.

This individual has signs of postmortem (after death) animal scavenging around the mouth, made by a dog that spent several days locked up and hungry with its deceased owner. No further info.

Postmortem animal predation is a substantial part of the taphonomic processes a body undergoes after death. While the occurrence and presentation of such injuries are well known to forensic pathologists, the morphological appearance of these injuries may be misinterpreted by police officers or members of other investigating authorities.

A broad range of carnivores can be involved in the postmortem destruction of corpses located in open spaces or indoors (e.g. wild animals such as foxes and big cats or domestic animals such as dogs and cats). The wound margins caused by carnivores often appear more regular than those caused by rodents and V-shaped or rhomboid punctured wounds are often seen upon the intact skin in the immediate vicinity to the actual wound margins. Such stab wound-like defects represent canine tooth marks of carnivore origin. An additional criterion for animal depredation by carnivores is the presence of claw-induced linear scratch-type abrasions in the vicinity of the damaged skin areas.

In cases with postmortem animal predation, the psychological state of the animal is a possible reason for its behavior. One possible explanation for such behavior is that a pet will try to help an unconscious owner first by licking or nudging, but when this fails to produce any results the behavior of the animal can become more frantic and in a state of panic can lead to biting. The motive is not to attack the owner but is a kind of ‘‘displacement’’ behavior motivated by confusion and fear. The fact that the efforts of the animal will obviously be fruitless explains why this can easily escalate and culminate in excessive mutilation.

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Case 2


Fig2.1 Hanging with mummified body, with possible change of mind and attempt to remove the ligature.


Fig2.2 Detail of furrow with finger marks.

Spain. This individual committed suicide by hanging, with possible change of mind and attempt to remove the ligature, details of furrow with finger marks can be seen in the neck area. The body has started to mummify.

Mummification occurs in hot, dry environments. The body dehydrates and bacterial proliferation may be minimal. The skin becomes dark, dried, and leathery. The process occurs readily in the fingers and toes in dry environments, regardless of the temperature. Most mummified bodies are found in the summer months or in hot, dry climates. Mummification can occur in the winter indoors, especially if the heat is turned up, creating a hot, low-humidity environment. It is possible for an entire body to mummify in only a few days to weeks in the right conditions. Once a body is in this state, it can remain preserved for many years.

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Case 3


Fig3.1 A photograph of the individual.


Fig3.2 A scene photo showing the shotgun lying next to the individual.

Spain. This middle-aged man decided to end his life using a shotgun. No further info.

Head injuries from shotguns 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.

The head is the most common location for a suicidal gunshot wound (74%), followed by the chest (20%) and then the abdomen (6%). In head wounds, the most common location was intraoral (50%), followed by under the chin (19%); side of head, including parietal and temporal wounds (15%); and the face, including the forehead (13%).

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Case 4


Fig4.1 Suicide with a box cutter.

The woman in this photograph committed suicide with a box cutter by severing the peroneal artery, which is found on the outer side of the middle third of the leg. There are bloodstains on the floor, with three large projection spatters—a result of the pressure created by arterial spurts.

In the case of a suicide involving a knife, if the instrument was being used to cut perpendicular to the skin, the wound will appear in the shape of a teardrop with clear edges, and ends or ‘tails’ that can be made superficially, and only touching the epidermis.

Arterial spurts, also known as arterial bleeding, arterial spurting, or arterial gushing, the amount of blood loss can be copious, occur very rapidly, and can led to death by a process called exsanguination.

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Case 5


Fig5.1


Fig5.2


Fig5.3

I have no info on this case but it looks like he may have survived.

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.

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Case 6


Fig6.1 Partial exenteration of the brain after a close-range gunshot with a shotgun.

Germany, ~1990's. In a case of extended suicide, a man killed his wife with a contact gunshot to the back of the head from a single-barreled 12-gauge “Baikal” shotgun the man had bought the day before and loaded with a Brenneke shotgun slug. The man then shot himself in the forehead while lying on his back in his bed.

The head of the woman showed a star-shaped laceration of the scalp running from the back of the head over the vault to the face. The right eye was destroyed and the cerebrum was completely missing. The cerebellum and the brain stem were severed in the region of the pons and a thin film of subarachnoidal bleeding surrounded the cerebellum. The trajectory most likely passed from the back of the head through the right side of the brain to the forehead close to the base of the skull. Exenteration cranii or partial exenteration of the brain. This clearly demonstrates that no ‘high velocity’ missile is required for such an ‘explosive’ type of head injury.

Shotgun slugs are used for deer and bear hunting in heavily populated areas where the slug’s rapid loss of velocity allegedly affords greater protection from shooting mishaps. Traditionally, three types of shotgun slugs were on the market: the American Foster, the European Brenneke, and the sabot. There are now multiple variations of these as well as slugs of much different designs. Shotgun slugs produce massive internal injuries comparable in severity to those produced by a centerfire rifle.

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Part 1 --- Part 2 --- Part 3 --- Part 4 --- Part 5 --- Part 6 --- Part 7 --- Part 8 --- Part 9 --- Part 10 --- Part 11 --- Part 12 --- Part 13 --- Part 14 --- Part 15 --- Part 16 --- Part 17 --- Part 18 --- Part 19 --- Part 20 --- Part 21 --- Part 22 --- Part 23 --- Part 24 --- Part 25 --- Part 26 --- Part 27 --- Part 28 --- Part 29 ---Part 30 --- Part 31 --- Part 32 --- Part 33 --- Part 34 --- Part 35 --- Part 36 --- Part 37


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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.

[William May]

Awesome post, as usual, Herman!

[K53]

Brutal deaths, one and all.

[ride]

Awesome, Mr. Shocker!

[Dodger712]

Thanks Herman. You always find interesting photos.

[Pyramid_Head]

Damn, trying to change your mind once you're hanging has to be scary shit.

[Karma]

OK I confess I must be pretty thick here, but I'm not getting the box cutter death..did she cut herself around the back of the knee or am I completely wrong. Yeah, I know I am a dumbass but would some kind person clarify what my pea brain isn't getting!!! TIA.

[tenny]

I wonder how far her eyes went.....across the room I bet.

[-JasonR-]

Another fascinating and informative post.
Thanks Herman.

[Budd Dwyer]

Interesting set as always
Case 2 is creepy, change of heart


Case 5 is 90%-95% sure dead imho...