Fatal tiger attack: a case report with emphasis on typical tiger injuries characterized by partially resembling stab-like wounds.
Forensic Sci Int
; 232(1-3): e1-4, 2013 Oct 10.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23993646
ABSTRACT
Fatalities due to attacks by tigers on humans are uncommon and are rarely described in the medico-legal literature. We herein present a forensic investigation in a unique case of a fatal tiger attack in the wild on a 35 year old female in India by an Indian Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). The attack resulted in two pairs of puncture wounds over the nape area with occult cervical spine injuries resulting from transfixing of spine due to the tiger canines; multiple puncture wounds, numerous scratches and abrasions consistent with the tiger claw injuries and injury to the right jugulocarotid vessels. This case outlines the characteristic injury pattern from such an attack along with the multiple sources of the tiger injuries. The analysis of these injuries might reveal the motivation behind the attack and the big cat species involved in the attack. A tiger injury is sometimes compared with a stab injury, as the patterned injuries due to a tiger bite are characterized by multiple penetrating, stab-like wounds. So, a special attention is paid toward establishment of the cause of death from bites by the animal teeth under unknown circumstances of trauma and to exclude the possibility of a homicide beyond reasonable doubt in such cases.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Wounds, Stab
/
Bites and Stings
/
Tigers
/
Hoof and Claw
Limits:
Adult
/
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Forensic Sci Int
Year:
2013
Document type:
Article