Case Report: Penetrating Thoracic Trauma by A Gunshot Involving the Heart

Abstract

Firearm-related mortality is not frequently encountered in a country like Nepal where there are stringent laws prohibiting the buying, selling, carrying or storing of firearms. To possess a firearm a person must have a valid license. Wounds produced by firearms have typical characteristics the knowledge of which helps to identify the type of firearm used, range of fire, the position of the victim, and whether the manner of death was homicidal, suicidal, or accidental. The present case is the first autopsy-based study from Nepal which discusses the wounds produced by firearms with an interpretation of such findings for medicolegal purposes. The present case highlights a social problem where the victim, a psychiatric patient, had no access to prescription medication due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) related lockdown.