Forensic science, medicine, and pathology
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Deaths resulting from the use of black powder handguns are relatively uncommon compared to other firearms. We report the case of a 48 year-old woman who sustained a lethal gunshot wound to the face from a black powder revolver. ⋯ The exit wound also contained evidence of soot. Discussion of this characteristic pattern of discharge deposition from black powder weapons is presented.
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Bullet retrieval from the body of a gunshot victim is one of many tasks in post-mortem forensic examination. Rarely, it is complicated by the migration of the missile away from the entry point by vessel embolism. ⋯ A missile had moved within the colon during hospitalization and postmortem handling of the body and was recovered from the sigmoid colon. This case demonstrates an extremely rare type of bullet "embolism" and emphasizes the usefulness of CT scanning in the location of projectiles.