الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract It is well known that firearm injuries are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Analysis and interpretation of fatal gunshot wounds is an important and common practice among forensic pathologists. One of the most important duties of the forensic pathologist is to differentiate inlet from exit (if present) gunshot wounds, determines range of firing, and the possible cause and mechanism of death. The correct interpretation of gunshot wounds by forensic pathologists not only provides valuable information that can assist law enforcement in their investigation but also is essential for the final determination of manner of death. Depending on the range from the muzzle to the target, gunshot wounds can be divided into four categories: contact, near contact, intermediate and distant. In gunshot fatalities, a reconstruction of the events can be possible on the basis of a variety of autopsy and scene findings. There are certain histopathological changes accompanied with firearm injuries that can contribute in their identification, determination of inlets, exits, and range of firing. Histopathological changes of gunshot injury are mainly duo to heat and mechanical trauma caused by the projectiles. SUMMARY & CONCLUSION 143 The histopathological changes of gunshot injuries are classified as epithelial, collagenous and power residue changes. The epithelial histopathological changes are ranged from little alteration at the periphery, through varying degrees of cellular distortion and disruption, to total epithelial destruction and absence at the center of the gunshot wounds. The collagenous histopathological changes are ranged from changes in the tinctorial properties to fusion and homogenization (Coagulation) of the collagen. The presence of gunpowder particles in the entrance wounds is helpful in differentiating these wounds from the exit wounds. The powder residue (PR) may also help in making an estimate of the range of firing. This study was designed to examine these histopathological changes and its importance in some gunshot injuries. This study was conducted on 60 cadavers of gunshot wounds received by Zenhum Morgue, in the period from January 2005 to October 2006. All cadavers were underwent autopsy according to the autopsy standards and sampling of inlets and exits with a safety margin were collected, fixed, and microscopically examined and photographed. The results of this study revealed that: 1. Males are affected more commonly than females. 2. The manner of death was mostly homicides, then suicides and accidental. 3. The most common age group affected were the middle age group. SUMMARY & CONCLUSION 144 4. Suicides were common in older persons in comparison to homicides. 5. Home made guns were the most common implement used. 6. Summer was the most common season in the studied cases. 7. Oblique direction was the most common in homicidal cases while perpendicular direction was the most common in suicides. 8. Hard contact was the most common in suicides while far firing was the most common in homicides. 9. Revenge represented the most common motivation in homicidal cases while psychic and financial problems are the most common motivations in suicides. 10.Histopathological findings were typical for those known in similar cases. In conclusion, there is an epidemic of gunshot wound fatalities nationwide. Interpretation and investigation of these deaths require will trained forensic pathologists. Firearm injuries must be examined collectively, beginning from history taking of the event, reviewing police reports, examination of the scene (although retrospectively done) and clinical examination during autopsy procedures. Histopathological examination play a confirmatory role to the clinical findings, or it may play a crucial role when the clinical presentation is atypical or clinical data are not evident. Histopathological examination gives valuable information to identify antemortem gunshot injuries, differentiate between inlet and exit wounds and rough estimation of the distance of firing. SUMMARY & CONCLUSION 145 The distinction between homicide, suicide and accident can sometimes be extremely difficult and a final conclusion can only be reached after a full police investigation. Multiple firearm wounds, on the other hand, strongly suggest homicide. |