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Schussverletzungen oder Käferfraß

Gunshot wounds or beetle interference

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Zusammenfassung

Die in einem Waldstück aufgefundene Leiche eines 47-jährigen Mannes zeigte an Einschussverletzungen erinnernde Hautdefekte; deshalb wurde zunächst an ein Tötungsdelikt gedacht. Die Aaskäfer Nicrophorus humator und N. vespilloides wurden am Körper des Toten gefunden und nach Auskunft des Entomologen als wahrscheinliche Spurenverursacher festgestellt. Käferfraß weist einzigartige Charakteristika auf, die eindeutig von Schuss- oder Stichverletzungen differenziert werden können. Die Kenntnis der morphologischen Merkmale der von Tieren verursachten Wundartefakte ist bedeutsam, da sie Fehldeutungen bei Todesermittlungen vorbeugen kann. Im Ergebnis der Obduktion war der Mann an einer erhängungsbedingten Strangulation verstorben, anscheinend im Zusammenhang mit einer autoerotischen Betätigung.

Abstract

The body of a 47-year-old man found in a wooded area showed skin defects that appeared to be gunshot wounds and initially raised the suspicion of homicide. The carrion beetles Nicrophorus humator and N. vespilloides were found directly on the body and according to the entomologist these silphid beetles could have caused the wounds. Tissue damage caused by beetles shows unique characteristics and can be clearly distinguished from those wounds (e.g. shot and stab wounds) commonly observed in forensic contexts. Knowledge of the morphology of wound artefacts produced by animals is important as it may avoid misinterpretation of the cause of death. The results of the autopsy showed that the man had died from strangulation by hanging, apparently in connection with an autoerotic activity.

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Einhaltung ethischer Richtlinien

Interessenkonflikt. K. Baumjohann, M. Benecke und M.A. Rothschild geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht. Der Beitrag enthält keine Studien an Menschen oder Tieren.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität zu Köln, Melatengürtel 60/62, 50823, Köln, Deutschland

    K. Baumjohann & M.A. Rothschild

  2. International Forensic Research & Consulting, Köln, Deutschland

    M. Benecke

Authors
  1. K. Baumjohann
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  2. M. Benecke
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  3. M.A. Rothschild
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Correspondence to K. Baumjohann.

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Baumjohann, K., Benecke, M. & Rothschild, M. Schussverletzungen oder Käferfraß. Rechtsmedizin 24, 114–117 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00194-013-0934-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00194-013-0934-1

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