Autopsy examination of firearm fatalities

As general pathologists in Malaysia are required to perform medico-legal autopsies, this paper is written with the hope that it may serve as a guide to the less initiated. An account of elementary ballistics is included because it is essential for understanding the features of wounds produced by firearms. A complete autopsy examination including a systematic approach to the injuries is advocated. The recognition and interpretation of firearm injuries can often be difficult and it is essential that all features of injuries and other relevant findings are carefully observed and recorded. Relevant observations, documentation and opinions necessary for accurate determination of the true circumstances of death are discussed.