In forensic investigation of firearm-related cases, determination of the residual amount of volatile compounds remaining inside a cartridge could be useful in estimating the time since its discharge. Published approaches are based on following the decrease of selected target compounds as a function of time by using solid phase micro-extraction (SPME). Naphthalene as well as an unidentified deco...

The management of hemodynamically normal patients with retained intra-pericardial foreign body remains a matter of conjecture. The available literature supports non-operative management of such innocuous foreign bodies. We report our experience of a hemodynamically normal patient with a retained intra-pericardial pellet from a firearm injury. He initially received successful non-operative manag...

To the Editor: South Africa has a reputation for being a violent society, with non-natural causes of death estimated to account for up to 30% of all deaths. Among these, firearm injuries are a common cause of mortality.1,2 In addition, about 127 000 individuals are treated at South African state hospitals each year for non-fatal firearm injuries.3 A previous study examined the cost of treating ...

Suicide by means of a motor vehicle occurs more frequently than is generally realized, and may be difficult to prove. Suicide by other means while driving a motor vehicle is far less frequent. Only two cases of suicide by gunshot while driving an automobile have been previously, and recently, reported. The author reports two additional cases of suicide by gunshot while driving a motor vehicle. ...

BACKGROUND The criminal use of firearms in South Africa is widespread and a major factor in the country having the third-highest homicide rate in the world. Violence is a common feature of South African society. A firearm in the home is a risk factor in intimate partner violence, but this has not been readily demonstrated in South Africa because of a lack of data. METHODS We drew on several S...

A gunshot wound is associated with high-energy transfer and the extent of intra-abdominal injuries is difficult to predict. The path of the missile is unpredictable and secondary missiles eg, bone fragments or fragments of the bullet can inflict other injuries. The velocity of military firearms and hunting rifles is much higher than that of civilian handguns and therefore has a much higher ener...

An upsurge in gun violence in recent times in our environment necessitated this study, which aims to document the patterns of fatal gunshot injuries with the hope of finding a solution to this problem. The study was a retrospective analysis of cases of fatal gunshot injuries on which autopsies were carried out over the 5-year period from January 1998 to December 2002 at Police Medical Services,...

Introduction: The Proliferation of small arms in the West African sub-region and the activities of insurgent groups and rustlers have caused renewed interest in Gunshot injuries. We aim to document the trend and outcome of such injuries in our sub-region. Methods: It was a prospective study of cases of gunshot injuries admitted at the University Teaching hospital over a period of 18 months. Par...

We critically compare particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) on the ion microprobe with scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEMEDS) for the characterisation of gunshot residues (GSR). Samples of gunshot residue from several different firearms were collected. Individual particles of GSR were analysed by SEM-EDS using a 30keV electron beam focussed to ~10nm and...

Gunshot detection technologies are more applicable in many industries for the security enhancement of public places like Federal Republic Territory FCT Abuja Nigeria. Many factors affect accuracy gun algorithm. This paper describes an audio-based video surveillance system auto pilot situational awareness to detect gunshots Polytechnic Offa. The Time Difference Arrival (TDOA) Shock Wave and Muzz...