Suicidal Shotgun Wound on Chest: An Uncommon Site with an Unusual Track

The wounds in the suicidal cases due to firearms are generally in head region. When such a wound is found at other site an eyebrow of suspicion is raised. We report a case in which the deceased had a gunshot wound over his chest. The weapon used was a long double barrel shotgun. The track of the wound raised the suspicion towards sustaining of the gunshot injury in a homicidal manner by the use of that specific weapon. However when the circumstances in which the body was found were examined together with the account of the witnesses and police investigation report, it was noted that the theory of police regarding the suicidal manner was a certain possibility. By this case we want to reiterate a well-known fact that the Forensic Pathologists should not rush to opine about the manner of the case. Instead they should interpret their findings in light of the detailed history, circumstantial evidence, witnesses etc. This case is also being reported because of the unusual manner of sustaining a gunshot wound at a less commonly involved site and from a weapon unlikely to be used for suicide.