Multiple Gunshot Suicides: Potential for Physical Activity and Medico-Legal Aspects

Out of 138 clearly defined gunshot suicides which were autopsied at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Munster, 11 persons fired 2 or more gunshots to the body. A general classification is derived from the literature & illustrated by the cases presented. A thorough post-mortem can exclude or quantify the potential for physical activity. Typical features of single gunshot suicides such as contact shots, classical entrance wound sites, & soot/backspatter on a hand also occur in multiple gunshot suicides. (34 refs.) JA