An Analysis of the Characteristics of Thoracic and Abdominal Injuries Due to Gunshot Homicides in Israel

Abstract

De-identified wound data from 197 homicidal gunshot postmortems were obtained between 2000 and 2008. Forensic ballistics data were only available for cases between 2004 and 2008. Males represent 91% of gunshot victims and were struck in the thorax/abdomen with an average of 2.3 bullets. The type of firearms involved were semi-automatic pistols in the predominant caliber 9-mm Luger and assault rifles in caliber 5.56 × 45 mm and caliber 7.62 × 39 mm Soviet, using full metal jacket bullets. The majority of shootings occurred at ranges of 1 m or greater. The most common bullet path was front to back in 66% of cases. Entry wounds occurred more often on the left side of the thorax, abdomen, and back. The most common critical organs/tissues to sustain bullet trauma in descending order were as follows: heart, lungs, liver, aorta, spleen, kidneys, and vena cava. Ribs were struck by most bullets that entered the thorax.

Sharp Force Homicide in Denmark 1992–2016

“…Wound trajectories are often described in autopsy reports, but their dissemination in the literature is limited to studies of gunshot homicides (31). It is important to note that the trajectories are registered as seen at the operating-or autopsy table and that a given trajectory can be inflicted in various ways, depending on the relative position of the victim and the offender.…”

Intentional Homicide: A Fifteen‐Year Study (2000–2014) at the Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”

“…In one study of voluntary homicide (24), the victims were more often attacked in vital areas (heart, brain, and thorax), and the means used better suited to be highly effective (firearms, knives, etc.) (25).…”

Critical Analysis of Firearm Wound Characteristics in Victims Brought for Autopsy at LHMC, New Delhi: A 20-Year Retrospective Study

“…Reference [27] in their study on firearm deaths found that range of firing was distant in 89.10% victims and close in 6.25% victims. Reference [29] in their study on firearm deaths reported that range of firing was 1 meter or above in most of the victims. Reference [31] in his study on firearm deaths reported that range of firing was close range in 1/3 homicide victims.…”

“…In the present study, direction of the firearm wound tracks were found upward-backward to the left in 18 (20%) cases whereas multiple directions were found in 13 (14.44%) cases (Table IX). Reference [29] in their study on thoraco-abdominal firearm injuries reported that the most common bullet path was front to back in 66% of cases. Entry wounds occurred more often on the left side of the thorax, abdomen, and back.…”

“…Abdominal Organs were injured in 19 (21.11%) firearm deaths (Table X). Reference [29] in their study on thoracoabdominal injuries due to gunshot homicide reported that the most common critical organs/tissues to sustain bullet trauma in descending order were as follows: heart, lungs, liver, aorta, spleen, kidneys, and vena cava. Ribs are struck by most bullets that entered the thorax.…”