Autopsy as well as Nano-technological Study of a Suicide by Firearm

Abstract

Background: The case brought to the department was of a 34 years old man, he had a history of alcohol and drug abuse. He had shot himself in the forehead with an unlicensed locally made firearm. The family members were reluctant in giving any further information and said they had no idea why he committed suicide. Case Report: A thorough post-mortem examination was conducted in the Mortuary of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (IMS BHU). Ballistic findings as well as gunshot residue (GSR), were collected to support the claim of suicide. SEM-EDXA was performed on the collected hand swab. Conclusion: It is important to state the manner of death, in any case, to provide justice to the deceased and hold the indictable person accountable. To prevent such suicides by the use of improvised firearms, strict and stringent laws should be formulated on the manufacturing and sales of such firearms.