Characteristics of Gunshot Suicides in Three Taiwan Metropolises

Hsien-Hui Meng ； Yu-Ting Hsiao

《Forensic Science Journal》 18卷1期 (2019/12) Pp. 47-55

https://doi.org/10.6593/FSJ.201912_18(1).0005

摘要

The differentiation between suicide and homicide is a key issue when investigating gunshot fatalities. We described the characteristics of gunshot suicides occurred in Taiwan to confirm the suicidal markers reported in foreign publications are applicable to the investigation of local gunshot fatalities. Thirty-seven gunshot suicide cases involving forty-two fatalities were examined. The results revealed that the information concerning the suicidal markers reported in prior literature such as the number and the location of entrance wound, shooting distance, the direction of bullet path, the location of weapon, the presence of back-spattered blood on the shooting hand and the firearms, detection of gunshot residues, and the presence of suicide note at the scene is particularly valuable. However, the main weapons used in gunshot suicides in Taiwan are homemade firearms rather than regular guns. Muzzle energy determination indicated that the lethality of local homemade pistols is similar to that of regular handguns. We recommended that the authority should take steps to eliminate illegal firearm manufacturing factories to reduce the firearm deaths.

關鍵字

gunshot suicide ； suicide pact ； gunshot wound ； homemade firearms