Sites of suicidal gunshot wounds

Abstract

Two hundred twenty-six suicides by firearms were analyzed to determine the entrance wound site. Overall, the head was the most favored site, accounting for 75% of the wounds; specifically, the right temple accounted for 39% of the wounds. The data were further examined in terms of specific weapon types. In the case of handguns, the preference for the temple was even more prominent, with this site accounting for nearly two thirds of the wounds. With long guns the predominance of head wounds was less pronounced but still present. Correlations with sex and age showed no significant difference in choice of site but did show differences in selection of gunshot as the means of suicide. Correlations of site with handedness showed that most individuals held true to form but that a significant proportion (8%) inflicted their wounds on the other side. Finally, three cases of suicide by multiple gunshots are presented.