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Detachment of the periosteum and soot staining of its underside in contact shots to the cerebral cranium

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Abstract

Contact gunshot wounds are usually characterized by a muzzle imprint, a powder cavity (“pocket”), the presence of carboxyhemoglobin and often also stellate tears of the skin radiating from the bullet entrance hole. In shots to the cerebral cranium an additional sign may be observed around the bone defect: the periosteum is detached and reflected with soot on the underside. The frequency and possible causes of these periosteal findings are discussed on the basis of 68 contact gunshot wounds from forensic autopsy material and experimental shots fired against the frontal bone of a slaughtered calf.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Legal Medicine, Albert Ludwig University, Albertstrasse 9, 79104, Freiburg, Germany

    M. Faller-Marquardt, M. Bohnert & S. Pollak

Authors
  1. M. Faller-Marquardt
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  2. M. Bohnert
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  3. S. Pollak
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Correspondence to M. Bohnert.

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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. B. Brinkmann on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

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Faller-Marquardt, M., Bohnert, M. & Pollak, S. Detachment of the periosteum and soot staining of its underside in contact shots to the cerebral cranium. Int J Legal Med 118, 343–347 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-004-0486-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-004-0486-8

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