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Crossbow homicides.

B Karger1, H Bratzke, H Grass

  • 1Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Münster, Röntgenstrasse 23, 48149 Münster, Germany. karger@uni-muenster.de

International Journal of Legal Medicine
|September 8, 2004
PubMed
Summary
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Crossbows are effective homicide weapons due to high bolt penetration, even with low kinetic energy. Their silent nature and distance capability make them ideal for surprise attacks and man hunting.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Ballistics
  • Weapon Analysis

Background:

  • Crossbows are increasingly used in homicides.
  • Understanding their ballistics and wound characteristics is crucial for forensic investigations.

Observation:

  • Eight homicide cases involving crossbows were analyzed.
  • Bolt penetration was significant despite kinetic energy under 100 J.
  • Wound morphology varied based on arrowhead type (broadhead vs. field-tip).

Findings:

  • High sectional density and split-like penetration contribute to bolt effectiveness.
  • Entrance wound shape depended on arrowhead type: broadheads caused star-shaped/triangular wounds, field-tips caused circular/oval/slit-like injuries.
  • Foreign material was found in two injuries; bolt extraction occurred in 50% of cases.

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Implications:

  • Crossbows are effective for short-range, surprise attacks, requiring minimal practice.
  • The weapon's silent operation facilitates victim surprise and delayed discovery of bodies.
  • Crossbows are considered advantageous for planned killings and 'man hunting'.