[Double suicidal gunshots with submental and parietal gunshot sites]

An 81-year-old suicide killed himself with two contact shots from a Walther PP pistol (cal. 7.65 mm Browning). The first entrance site was located under the chin, the second on the top of the head. The primary submental shot went through the facial part of the skull exclusively, the subsequent parietal shot interspersed central parts of the brain. The sequence of the shots could be identified by means of the different severity of the injuries and its effect on the ability of the person to act on the one hand and the pattern of the blood traces on the other hand. When the body was found, the suicide held the weapon in his right hand, which was stiff from rigor mortis. On the basis of the case presented and the literature available the criminological aspects of suicidal shots on the top of the head and multiple gunshot wounds are discussed.