Gunshot Wounds

[Odd Job]

There are quite a few stories and misconceptions about gunshot wounds, especially when it comes to questions about calibre or a type of ammunition or the number of times someone is shot as relates to the damage that is to be 'expected.' At some stage I might lay down a few of my observations so that these questions don't keep popping up.
So, to gauge what the general experience is on this board, I would like to know how many of you have seen a real gunshot wound up close, and I don't mean on an action movie. I want to know if you saw the hole in the person who was hit, very soon after they were shot, close enough to touch. I'll set up some poll options here. For those of you who are medical or LEO or similar, I would still like to know how many of these cases you have seen (number of people hit, not number of wounds). You can use 'expected in my line of work.'
Everyone else use 'not expected' please...

 

[ENC]

I have a masters degree in Forensic Science. Currently I am running my own business but I did an internship with the Crime Scene Unit of a large city. During this time I examined four deceased individuals who died from GSW's. Three were pistol rounds and one was a .410 shotgun with birdshot. Three cases were peri or post autopsy exams. One was at the scene with follow-up at the medical examiner's office.

While this was not soon after they were hit I was able (required) to touch in every case. Total count 5 entry wounds and zero exit wounds.

 

[westphoenix]

I have met a few people who have been shot.
Not sure how you meant the question.
Do you mean gun shot wounds or persons with gun shot wounds.
I can think of 4 people I met who have been shot.
Two of them have been shot more then once.
One was shot with bird shot on accident while hunting.

 

[ISP2605]

Saw some in the military. Saw most in LE. For over 8 yrs I investigated, supervised, and reviewed police shootings for my agency and other agencies who requested we handle their investigations. In addition in my career, I was on SWAT for 10 yrs, commanded 2 drug task forces, ran a fugitive apprehension unit, and commanded a general crimes unit. Murders and shooting investigations are what we did. I am estimating I've seen 300 but I may be low on that. At least 300 while in LE anyway.

 

[9mm_prn]

I have changed some dressings on gunshot wounds that weren't pretty.

Allways wonder what the brand of ammo was...

 

[XavierBreath]

I am a registered nurse who specializes in complex wound care. I eventually receive any gunshot wound in a 100 mile radius for care after hospital discharge. I've been managing these and other complicated wounds for about 10 years now. Prior to becoming a wound care specialist, I was a trauma nurse in a major hospital for several years. Prior to that, I was a corpsman.

I am not certain how many patients with gunshot wounds I have cared for, but I have seen a lot. I have seen them spurting blood, and with huge chunks of destroyed tissue needing excision. I have assisted in the excisions. I have cared for the injuries after grafting of bone, bowels, muscle and skin is performed. I have seen more gunshots in aftercare than most ER physicians see rolled into their ERs, because I am the guy they all call when they send the patient home.

In convalescence, I can usually get to know the patient and elicit the stories of what happened, how it felt, what type of ammo (if they know or care) and other tidbits. Sometimes it is interesting, other times it is angering.

Over time, I have come to one conclusion regarding what I have seen. You cannot predict anything with certainty.

 

[Capt. Charlie]

In a total of 28 yrs. in law enforcement, I'm sure it was over 50, and probably somewhere around 100.

I've seen 'em in the morgue, and I've seen 'em die while I was there. I've also seen hits that you'd never think would be fatal, but were, and hits that I was sure were going to be fatal, but weren't.

A lot of them were head shots, and of those, most were suicides, but here's the kicker: Very few of those were instantly fatal. In fact, most lived anywhere from 15-20 minutes to several days before dying.

The worst I've seen by far though, was a total decapitation from the mandible up when a security guard who's girlfriend dumped him, put the muzzle of a 12 ga. shotgun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.

The only thing I can conclude from my experience is that there are very few absolutes when it comes to gunshot wounds, and if you absolutely must end it all, a handgun ain't the way to do it.

 

[44 AMP]

human?

Your poll question should have been a little more specific. I didn't understand what wou were looking for until I read through the other posts.
I have seen a few wounds in humans, a few humans who have survived wounds,some who did not, and a large number of gunshot wounds in various animals, not survived.
None had anything to do with my line of work. Perhaps another category (or two) would be appropriate.

 

[Odd Job]

Well, if they had nothing to do with your line of work, then choose 'more than 4 (not expected in my line of work)'
What I mean is this: an LEO, paramedic, trauma doc, forensic scientist etc is not going to be surprised if he has to see a gunshot wound. That's why the options are greater (in numbers) for them. But if you are an architect or a software developer it is not expected that you will see a gunshot wound as a matter of course. Consequently the options (in numbers) are less for people like that. I've done it like that because then I can get two sets of results with one poll.

 

[Odd Job]

To quote myself:

I want to know if you saw the hole in the person who was hit, very soon after they were shot, close enough to touch. I'll set up some poll options here. For those of you who are medical or LEO or similar, I would still like to know how many of these cases you have seen (number of people hit, not number of wounds).

That answers the human vs animal question, and also the question from westphoenix.

 

[utaherrn]

I'm an ER nurse, treated more gunshot wounds than I can recall to every area of the body. Head, neck, chest, abdomen and extremities. Seen most everything from .22 thru 12ga. Got quite a few interesting x-rays and pictures too. Any particular info you want?

 

[Twycross]

Leaving critters out of the picture, I have yet to see a real gunshot wound.

 

[chemist308]

Seen one, hope never to again...

One question:

A lot of them were head shots, and of those, most were suicides, but here's the kicker: Very few of those were instantly fatal. In fact, most lived anywhere from 15-20 minutes to several days before dying.

Capt Charlie, okay let me get this straight--a people attempt suicide by putting a gun to their head and it doesn't work right away?! That's freakin disturbing! Are any awake/aware afterwards?

 

[ISP2605]

Last spring we had a guy who killed his grandfather, ran from police, and then tried to kill himself by placing a .270 under his chin. Blew the lower part of his face off. He's still alive altho he now has a face even his mother couldn't love.

 

[Michigan Mason]

Only saw 1 when a coworker came into work a fer days after someone tried t ocarjack him. Took a 9mil to the gut.

 

[Abndoc]

Worked in ER for a while, and on post-op wards, so I voted expected. I work at a school now, so I pray to God that I never see another.

 

[superpelly]

I have seen some; 2 really stand out ----

1)I responded to a accidental shooting many years ago, where the shooter was a 7 year old (sister) and the victim a 4 year old(brother) with a large 44 mag hole to the chest (DOA). The 7 year old got his daddy's gun form a holster hanging from a coat rack(closet). They decided to play cowboy and indians. The scene was a nightmare!!!! Still is. lock up your guns!!

2) Report of gun shots fired. When I got to the house, I was clearing each room, when I got to a door way of another room I noticed a halloween mask laying by the door way, odd? Got a little closer and realized it was a human face!!!! . Suicide, A guy put a 12ga to his chin and blow his face right off. He did put plastic covering over all the furniture not to make a mess

 

[Capt. Charlie]

Capt Charlie, okay let me get this straight--a people attempt suicide by putting a gun to their head and it doesn't work right away?! That's freakin disturbing! Are any awake/aware afterwards?

Some, yes. Others? Who knows? Eyelid flutter, limb movement, those could all be reflex movements, I guess. One thing that seems common though is that most aspirate, and sometimes that's what kills them.

There were a few that I swore were dead, but when paramedics did an ECG, there was heartbeat. Go figure.

 

[Capt. Charlie]

The scene was a nightmare!!!! Still is. lock up your guns!!

That has to be the worst thing any first responder can face . Anybody that doesn't have nightmares after that isn't human. I hope you went for Critical Incident Stress debriefing. It doesn't stop all the nightmares, but it helps.... some.

 

[gb_in_ga]

Humans? None. And it would suit me just fine if it stays that way.
Animals? Lots -- lost count a long time ago.