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Self-inflicted explosive death by intra-oral detonation of a firecracker: a case report

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Abstract

Self-inflicted explosive deaths due to detonation of fireworks are rare. In this case report, a peculiar case of an elderly male who discharged a firecracker inside his mouth, resulting in fatal blast induced craniofacial injuries, is described. There is paucity of published data describing fireworks-related suicidal and/or non-suicidal deaths. Even scantier data is present specifically describing fireworks-related blast induced neurotrauma and the mechanism(s) of injury involved in such cases. This case report emphasizes the severe damage that a commercially available explosive, the so-called “Gorilla Bomb”, can cause, and raises questions about the relative ease of its acquisition.

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Funding

This case study received no specific funding or grant from public, private or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia, 0007, South Africa

    Musa Aubrey Makhoba & Lorraine du Toit-Prinsloo

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  1. Musa Aubrey Makhoba
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  2. Lorraine du Toit-Prinsloo
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Correspondence to Musa Aubrey Makhoba.

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Makhoba, M.A., du Toit-Prinsloo, L. Self-inflicted explosive death by intra-oral detonation of a firecracker: a case report. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 13, 459–463 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-017-9910-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-017-9910-5

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