ATYPICAL FIRE INJURY CAUSED BY A PLASTIC PROJECTILE


Authors: Alexandar Alexandrov, Teodora Kiryakova, Atanas Hristov
Keywords: atypical gunshot wound, imitation damage, plastic GFL projectile, GFL cartridge

Abstract:
We present a case of a homicide of a man, found with a wound on his right anterior neck surface,
with the general morphology resembling a stab-incised would. Inspection of the crime scene, as well as
external and internal examination of the body of the deceased were performed in the Department of
Forensic medicine and deontology, Medical University – Sofia. During the layer-by-layer tracking of
the injury, a star-shaped rupture of the trachea was found - on its anterior and posterior surfaces, as well
as damage to the left half of the esophagus at this level with a general morphology resembling the effect
of a sharp object. On the anterior surface of the third cervical vertebra a rounded defect with a diameter
of about 3-4 mm was found, which continued in depth through the entire thickness of the vertebral body.
An additional incisions in the upper back part of the thorax and back of the neck was performed, with
opening of the spinal canal, which revealed a complete rupture of the spinal cord and traces of
"intrusion" of the left half of the bone structures forming the spinal canal at this level. The soft tissue
around the third and fourth vertebrae were found with hemorrhage and stratification, continuing in the
direction of the right back thorax surface and slightly downward. Following this hemorrhage and soft
tissue stratification, a projectile was found in the area under the right scapula. Examination of the
projectile revealed that it was a 9mm plastic GFL bullet.Download article