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A crossbow suicide.

Laura Panata1, Massimo Lancia1, Alessandra Persichini1

  • 1Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Surgical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia Medical School, Italy.

Forensic Science International
|November 13, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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A man with severe depression died by suicide using a crossbow. This case highlights the potential harm of easily accessible crossbows, even for individuals with mental illness.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Pathology
  • Traumatology
  • Mental Health

Background:

  • Crossbows, historically used in warfare and hunting, remain relevant in sports and recreation.
  • Individuals with severe depression may pose a risk to themselves, necessitating interventions like hospitalization.

Observation:

  • A 40-year-old man with severe depression died by suicide using a crossbow prior to a scheduled hospitalization.
  • Autopsy revealed a crossbow dart entered the suprahyoid region, traversed the tongue, brain, and exited the left parietal region.
  • The three-pointed star wound pattern was consistent with the dart's design, causing severe brain injury and fatal bleeding.

Findings:

  • The crossbow dart caused extensive subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain swelling, and severe brain injury.
Keywords:
AutopsyCrossbowForensic pathologyIllegal dartIntracranial injurySuicide

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  • The trajectory indicated the dart crossed vital structures including the brain.

    • Implications:

    • This case underscores the potential for severe harm from crossbows, contrasting with their legal use in sport and hunting.
    • It raises concerns about the accessibility of such weapons to individuals experiencing severe mental health crises.