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

A Cause Célèbre: The So-Called “Ballpoint Murder”
Rompen, JC
Medical research student, Medical Faculty, University of Groningen,

Meek, MF
University Hospital Groningen,

van Andel, MV
Laboratory for Histology and Cell Biology, University of Groningen, EZ

(Received 15 March 1999; accepted 22 November 1999)

Abstract

Transorbital intracranial injuries are uncommon but classic ophthalmologic traumas. This report describes a case of a woman who was found dead. Postmortem examination revealed a Bic® ballpoint which had penetrated her head through her right eye. Detective forces believed a murder to be the most likely cause; however, medical expert consultants indicated that a tragic accident was more likely. The case and the results of crossbow test-firing on human cadavers are presented.

Keywords:
forensic science, intracranial injuries, transorbital, ballpoint, crossbow

Paper ID: JFS14842J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14842J
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