Suicide by a construction nail fired from a pistol

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Ballistics
• Traumatology

Background:

• Suicide by penetrating head injury is uncommon.
• Firearm-related suicides typically involve ammunition projectiles.
• Improvised projectile injuries are rare in forensic pathology.

Observation:

• A construction builder died from a penetrating head injury.
• The injury was caused by a construction nail fired from a pistol using a blank cartridge.
• Atypical features included absence of beveling, muzzle impression, cartridge ejection, and typical entry wound characteristics.

Findings:

• This is the first reported case of suicide using a construction nail as a projectile from a blank-firing pistol.
• The improvised method involved placing a construction nail into the firearm's chamber.
• The nail's tip exited the wound, with other features deviating from standard firearm injuries.

Implications:

• Highlights the potential for improvised firearm use in suicides.
• Underscores the importance of thorough forensic examination in unusual injury patterns.
• May inform forensic investigations of complex or atypical firearm-related deaths.