[Once again: risk of injury caused by blank pistols]. / Noch einmal: Verletzungsgefahren durch Schreckschusswaffen.

The nature and extent of the use of blank pistols in Hamburg (according to the Hamburg crime statistics about 300 to 400 such cases per year; 34 cases involving head and neck wounds from 1989 to 1999 were investigated at our institute; among these 8 suicides, no homicide) as well as patterns of injuries caused by close distance blank pistol shots were analysed. 7 of these cases are described in detail. The results of our studies corroborate the warning statements made by many criminological and medico-legal experts regarding the danger inherent in these allegedly harmless weapons. Blank cartridge pistols can, when shot from a close distance, cause most severe injuries involving penetration into body cavities and bodily organs (especially in the head and neck), and even perforation of the skull. Therefore, we call for a much stricter control of weapons of this kind.

[Impression traces from firearms on cadaver skin]. / Abdruckspuren von Schusswaffen auf der Leichenhaut.

Guns may occasionally leave traces on human skin, for example by compression/impression of the tissue (esp. in the area of livores), by contact-transfer of dirt, oil, and rust, or by forming the pattern of blood-smears. The case of a 31-year-old drug-addict is presented in detail: The man committed suicide by shooting himself (entrance hole under the chin). When the dead body was found there was no weapon at the scene. By careful securing of evidence and analyzing the pattern of metallisations (identified as rust from the old pistol) it was reconstructed that the suicident held the pistol (identified as Russian Tokarew TT33-7.62 mm) in his hand for many hours postmortem until it was removed by an unknown thief.

[Unusual suicide by gunshot wound to the head with a signal pistol]. / Ungewöhnlicher Suizid durch Kopfschuss mit einer Signalpistole.

The professional access to weapons plays a role in the choice of suicide instruments. Light and signalling ammunition is used by police forces, in the military, in sports, and professional navigation. An unusual suicide of a shipowner by means of a signal-pistol is presented. The signal cartridge was shot into the head. Penetrating the skull the cartridge entered the brain. The burning-out of the signal-set--taking about 10 seconds--initiated a flat-burning.--This case shows once more the dangerous misuse of light and signal ammunition.

[Unintentional gunshot during police intervention]. / Der ungewollte Schuss im Polizeieinsatz.

33 cases of unintentional handgun use by police officers during operation since 1983 in Northern Germany have been evaluated. These cases have been selected from our own investigations and from prosecutors' and police departments' files and records. It was intended to find out criteria for forensic expertise. The unintended use of a handgun was always influenced in a decisive and causal manner by the behaviour of the delinquents (resistance, assault, escape). The confrontation of the police officer with the violence of aggressive offenders was of immediate importance for triggering the shot in various kinds of police operation. Sensorically caused, reflex muscle contractions as a consequence of a great effort, a loss of balance or fright when simultaneously protecting oneself with weapon in hand can be made responsible for the unvoluntary shot. In 10 cases (30%) persons were injured, 2 times lethally. As a whole, the consequences were of random nature, they could be explained by the series of actions in each case. The type and technical state of the weapons in use have not influenced the unintentional use. A behaviour of the police officers offending against the legally required care was stated in two of the investigated cases. Considering our investigations and the many policemen killed in duty we state that securing oneself in time with a weapon at the ready in critical phases of operations cannot be successfully replaced by any other method of self defense.

Intensive gunshot residues at the exit wound: an examination using a head model.

The autopsy findings of intensive gunshot residues at the exit wound after a gunshot wound in the head led to an experimental investigation to clarify the mode of origin and intensity of these gunshot residues on the inner surface of the exit wound. For this purpose a simple skull/brain model was prepared. The results of the examination showed that with weapons of the same calibre distinct gunshot residues should be expected at the exit wound.