Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 1

Patterned Injury Due to Flash Suppressor: A Case Report

1Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, B J Government Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India

2Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, B J Government Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India

3Junior Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, B J Government Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India

*Corresponding author: Dr. Vijay T. Jadhao, E-23, Vishnu Sadashiv, Doctors quarters, Opposite old Zilla Parishad, Mangalwar peth, Pune-411 011 E-mail: acpvj@rediffmail.com Mobile no. 08805986066

Online published on 2 January, 2016.

Abstract

In cases of contact or near contact firearm injury due to a rifled weapon fitted with a flash suppressor, the emerging soot-laden gas in the barrel escapes from the slits of the flash suppressor. This produces a characteristic patterned injury; like petals of flower surrounding the firearm entry wound. This “flower-like” pattern of searing and blackening can be used to determine the type of weapon used. This case report presents one such case of patterned injury due to flash suppressor in a 45-year-old man who committed suicide with his service SLR rifle.

Keywords

Flash suppressor, suicide, patterned injury, contact shot