ABSTRACT
FIGURE 17.1 This is an execution-style murder in which five shots were fired into the back of the head. There is so much deformation and fragmentation of the bullets that it is hard to get an accurate count. (A) Frontal view shows a bullet overlying the right frontal sinus (arrow), which was the only bullet easily accessible. The remainder were lodged within the brain or the facial bones. (B) Lateral view shows the futility of probing for bullets. (From Messmer, J.M. and Fierro, M.F., RadioGraphics, 6, 457, 1986. With permission.)
FIGURE 17.2 This felon, fleeing arrest, was shot in the back by a police officer. (A) Frontal view shows lead particles leading from the wound of entry, which is in the midportion of the right hemithorax just above the right hemidiaphragm, with small lead particles leading to the final resting place of the bullet behind the heart shadow (arrow). (B) The lateral view shows that the bullet is actually very superficial beneath the skin of the back. The bullet struck the rib, then followed its curvature to come to rest quite some distance from the wound of entry.
