DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2021.v09i04.009

Pages: 342-345

Atypical gunshot injuries are not very common findings in routine autopsies. A case of gunshot wound to the head is herein reported where two rapid successive shots from a double tap firing lead to a unique patterned injury over the occipital region of the skull. Differentiation from the tandem/piggyback shot was necessary and was made on the basis of wounds’ appearances and detailed circumstantial information. A review of the tandem bullet phenomenon in this regard was made and also a few cases belonging to the finding of double tap gunfire in forensic pathology as well as anthropological contexts were studied in details. The pathologist must be aware of both of the phenomena due to their close relation, in order to fully elucidate the autopsy findings, attesting the witness testimony and the facts relating to a legal investigation.