Journal Published Online: 01 July 1979
Volume 24, Issue 3

Iron Staining of the Hands in Suicides with Firearms

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

In death resulting from gunshot wounds it is the routine policy of the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences to examine the hands for evidence of powder and primer residues. In the past three months while performing such examinations the authors encountered three cases in which there was an orange-brown discoloration of the skin of the palm of one hand. Several months ago, one of the authors (V. J. M. D.) had been contacted by another medical examiner who had noticed this phenomenon and did not know its cause. He indicated that his cases were suicides and that the weapon had been a long arm. The authors at that time had no explanation.

Author Information

Norton, LE
University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Tex.
DiMaio, VJM
University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Tex.
Gilchrist, TF
University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Tex.
Pages: 2
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS10877J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10877J