An Unusual Case of Multiple-Gunshot Suicide of an Alcohol-Intoxicated Cancer Sufferer with Prolonged Physical Activity

作者：Marnerides Andreas^*; Zagelidou Eleni; Leontari Roumbini

来源：Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2013, 58(2): 537-539.

DOI：10.1111/1556-4029.12073

• forensic science
• forensic pathology
• multiple-gunshot suicide
• cancer
• alcohol intoxication
• physical activity

Multishot firearm suicides are relatively rare and suggest the possibility of homicide. Physical activity following gunshots to the head, the neck, and the thorax does occur, and immediate incapacitation does not occur in every fatal gunshot wound that penetrates the head or perforates the heart. Cancer patients appear to be at increased suicide risk, but alcohol intoxication is less common in such cases. We presentto the best of our knowledge for the first timea case of a 54-year old, male, liver cancer sufferer, who under the influence of alcohol, discharged his revolver three times, suffered, among other wounds, a heart-perforating wound, and died after c. 1.5h, being able to talk until just before he died. Our case underlines the importance of keeping an open critical mind when dealing with multiple-gunshot fatalities, especially when posttraumatic physical activity might be crucial in differentiating homicide from suicide.

• 出版日期2013-3