Intrauterine Fetal Death in Gunshot Injury to the Gravid Uterus: Forensic Perspective

Abstract

Assault on pregnant women is not a rare event; however forensic analysis of gunshot injuries among the same group requires a greater deliberation. This is the report of a 38-week-old fetus which succumbed following gunshot injuries to the mother while the latter survived. The uniqueness of fetal injuries in the form of avulsed wound with complete detachment of anus is of great forensic interest. Such unusual wound pattern could have been the result of a blast wave effect created due to the high velocity projectile affecting the fluid filled uterine cavity.

Keywords

• blast effect
• pregnancy
• rupture uterus