To evaluate demographic characteristics, injury patterns, shooting distance findings, and toxicological features of firearm-related deaths, assessing their implications for medicolegal practice.
Key Findings:
Firearm-related deaths accounted for 4.55% of all autopsies.
The majority of cases were male (87%) with a mean age of 36.6 ± 15.3 years.
Handguns were used in 94.2% of cases.
Contact-range shootings were most frequent (45.5%).
Single entrance wounds were observed in 68.9% of cases, primarily in the head (61.2%) and thorax (39.1%).
Major vascular injury and bone fractures were present in 22.8% and 89.8% of cases, respectively.
Toxicological analysis revealed alcohol in 20.3%, stimulants in 12.6%, and illicit drugs in 6.2% of cases.
Shooting distance could not be determined in many cases due to clothing interference or medical intervention.
Interpretation:
Autopsy findings alone may be insufficient for determining shooting distance; integration with scene investigation, clothing analysis, and clinical data is essential for accurate medicolegal interpretation.
Limitations:
Shooting distance could not be determined in many cases due to clothing interference or medical intervention.
One case was excluded due to advanced decomposition preventing reliable evaluation.
Conclusion:
Firearm-related deaths predominantly affect young adult males and are associated with high lethality due to injuries involving vital anatomical regions. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive medicolegal evaluations.
