Fatal suicidal perforating crossbow bolt injury of the chest.

Abstract

Traumatic injury due to crossbows is a rare occurrence these days. The aim of this study is to present a case of perforating chest injury caused by a bolt shot from a crossbow in suicidal intent which occurred “live“ during a telephone conversation. The autopsy revealed perforation of the heart and left lungs with massive bleeding to the left pleural cavity which caused haemorrhagic shock. The motive of the mans suicide was the breakup with his girlfriend.