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Observations and statistics relating to suicide weapons.

Journal of Forensic Sciences

|May 1, 1987

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Forensic analysis of suicide weapons reveals blood presence and gunshot residue on hands. Suicidal gunshot wounds most frequently target the head, with weapons found in the decedent's hand in 11-20% of cases.

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Area of Science:

Forensic Science
Ballistics
Toxicology

Background:

The presence and condition of a weapon at a suicide scene offer critical forensic insights.
Key questions include blood presence on the weapon, its location relative to the body, and firearm discharge residue on the hands.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze forensic evidence from suicide weapons.
To determine the frequency of blood on weapons, location of suicidal gunshot wounds, and presence of gunshot residue on hands.

Main Methods:

Examination of 400+ suicide weapons for blood and firearm discharge residues.
Analysis of scene photographs to determine weapon location relative to the decedent.
Procedural changes in blood detection were implemented during the study.

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Main Results:

Suicidal gunshot wounds were three times more frequent to the head than the chest.
No significant gender-based differences were observed in wound location.
Weapons were found in or on the decedent's hand in 20% of handgun cases and 11% of long gun cases.

Conclusions:

Forensic examination of suicide weapons provides valuable data on wound patterns and residue.
Weapon positioning at the scene can offer insights into the circumstances of the suicide.
Methodological improvements in blood detection enhanced forensic analysis.