[Gunshot injuries in the orbital area]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Forensic Pathology
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Gunshot wounds to the orbit present complex diagnostic challenges.
• Distinguishing between suicidal and homicidal intent can be critical in medicolegal investigations.
• Previous literature highlights the difficulties in interpreting orbital trauma.

Observation:

• This report details four cases of gunshot entrance wounds involving the orbit or periorbital regions.
• Two cases involved misdiagnosis by physicians regarding the cause of perforating ocular injury.
• One case was a confirmed suicide, and another was a homicide.

Findings:

• Anatomical findings alone may be insufficient to definitively determine suicide versus homicide in single orbital gunshot wounds.
• The trajectory and wound characteristics can be misleading.
• Medical professionals must consider clinical context alongside physical evidence.

Implications:

• Accurate diagnosis of orbital gunshot wounds is crucial for legal and medical outcomes.
• Enhanced forensic evaluation may be necessary in ambiguous cases.
• This underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between medical examiners and treating physicians.