The Importance of Radiological Imaging In The Medicolegal Evaluation of Gunshot Wounds: A Case Report


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YAVUZ M. S., ZEYBEK V., KARABAĞ G., Akın A., Erbaş İ.

Eastern Journal of Medicine, vol.28, no.2, pp.365-368, 2023 (Scopus, TRDizin) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.5505/ejm.2023.90592
  • Journal Name: Eastern Journal of Medicine
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, Veterinary Science Database, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.365-368
  • Keywords: bone fracture, Gunshot wounds, radiological imaging, shooting direction
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Manisa Celal Bayar University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Determining the shooting direction in gunshot wounds is very important, especially in cases where the number of suspects is more than one. In cases of gunshot wounds, a detailed anamnesis should be taken and an examination should be performed, it should be investigated whether the injury caused a bone fracture, and the diagnosis should be confirmed by radiological examinations. With the use of radiological examinations, the direction of the shot can be determined by evaluating the appearance of the metal fragments separated from the bullet core, which crashes into the bone tissue and bone fragments. Radiological imaging of a 32-year-old male patient who was injured in the left leg area with a firearm and was sent to Forensic Medicine Department of Medical School of Manisa Celal Bayar University to determine the shooting direction was evaluated. The case, whose entrance-exit holes were distinguished and the direction of the shot was determined by radiological imaging, is presented to guide the medicolegal evaluation.