ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

Single Wound Produced by Simultaneous Discharge of Both Shells from a Double-Barrel Shotgun
Medich, MG
staff physician, Emergency Department, St. Vincents Hospital, WI

Burritt, M
Firearms examiner, Michigan State Police Crime Laboratory, MI

Davison, P
Forensic pathologist and pathology assistant, Blodgett Memorial Medical Center, MI

Cohle, SD
Forensic pathologist and pathology assistant, Blodgett Memorial Medical Center, MI

(Received 10 March 1989; accepted 31 March 1989)

Abstract

We present the case of a man who was killed by simultaneous discharge of both barrels of a double-barrel shotgun. Externally, there was a single wound simulating a wound made by a discharge of a single barrel. Test-firing of the shotgun against cloth, paper, and naugahyde targets revealed defects similar in shape to the wound in the victim. Simultaneous discharge of both barrels from a double-barrel shotgun may simulate the wound made by discharge of a single barrel.

Keywords:
criminalistics, ballistics, wound ballistics, shotguns

Paper ID: JFS12849J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12849J
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