What is it about?

Nail guns are pneumatically driven or powder-actuated tools, which are used to drive nails into wood or concrete. A 42-year-old man, who was a builder by profession and history of antidepressant use, was found dead in his vehicle, holding a “Ramset” nail gun in his right hand.

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Why is it important?

Several unique features not previously reported were observed in this case. The deceased had overcome the built-in safety mechanism of the nail gun, by placing a book in between his forehead and muzzle. Another unique feature is that the nail had exited the cranium. Beveling, a feature commonly found in firearm injuries, was also seen in this case.

Perspectives

This case report shows several unique characteristic injuries as well as some injury patterns seen on firearm injuries.

Dr. Kasun Bandara Ekanayake
University of Peradeniya

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Nail Gun Suicide, American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology, December 2020, Wolters Kluwer Health,
DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000650.
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