Attention tourists....

[Cat_Doc]

That's not all that uncommon. Quite often I've found what we call "hesitation shots" where they completely missed the first time. They would point the gun at their head, close their eyes and then unconsciously move the gun barrel as they pull the trigger.

Yep, I’ve seen a few of those. Projectile strikes in the ceiling or the wall should not automatically be construed as a homicide staged as a self-inflicted GSW.

Or, the pistol is found in the left hand, entrance would in left temple while laying in bed, but the decedent is right handed. Gotta take into consideration the guy was laying on a twin bed with his right side right up against the wall. Look for the high velocity blow back on the hand and weapon and take into consideration he couldn't place the weapon against his head with his right hand, so he used his left.

Families will always believe it was a murder, though and claim we are incompetent.

[MikeG]

Yep, I’ve seen a few of those. Projectile strikes in the ceiling or the wall should not automatically be construed as a homicide staged as a self-inflicted GSW.

Or, the pistol is found in the left hand, entrance would in left temple while laying in bed, but the decedent is right handed. Gotta take into consideration the guy was laying on a twin bed with his right side right up against the wall. Look for the high velocity blow back on the hand and weapon and take into consideration he couldn't place the weapon against his head with his right hand, so he used his left.

Families will always believe it was a murder, though and claim we are incompetent.

Handedness and shooting don't always match. I am left eye dominant and right handed. I shoot pistol right handed and rifle left-handed. I call it "Tactical Awesomeness." Others call it the "Double Weak Side".

But you got nothing. This guy shot himself twice in the chest with a bolt action rifle.

In January 2001, Clark, an 80-year-old Chatham County farmer, was found shot to death lying on the couch in his home.

Clark had two bullet wounds in his chest. A rifle lay next to his body. After a brief investigation by the sheriff's department, the local medical examiner, Dr. James Holt, ruled Clark committed suicide.

Investigators believed Clark, bolt action rifle, held the gun to his chest, fired once, spun it around 180 degrees, worked the bolt, spun it around again, and fired a second time into his chest before finally working the bolt one more time. Then, he dropped it on the floor.

Family was immediately suspicious.

I think it turned into a Jeff Foxworthy joke or something.

[MikeG]

They would point the gun at their head, close their eyes and then unconsciously move the gun barrel as they pull the trigger.

If you replace "head" with "target", I call that Range Time.

[QldCop]

Now ya see? This is the kind of wisdom I was talking about that you just can't find in any book!!

Just ask my wife Trip, she'll agree that I'm full of it.... "Wisedom" i hope that is??

[QldCop]

Yep, I’ve seen a few of those. Projectile strikes in the ceiling or the wall should not automatically be construed as a homicide staged as a self-inflicted GSW.

Or, the pistol is found in the left hand, entrance would in left temple while laying in bed, but the decedent is right handed. Gotta take into consideration the guy was laying on a twin bed with his right side right up against the wall. Look for the high velocity blow back on the hand and weapon and take into consideration he couldn't place the weapon against his head with his right hand, so he used his left.

Families will always believe it was a murder, though and claim we are incompetent.

There was a case here years ago when Police located a body in a back yard with a shotgun wound to the head. Patrols then located the gun over in the next door neighbours yard... initially investigated as a murder, then on closer examination, they found an indent in the concrete next to his feet.
Turned out that when he held the shotgun, he didn't have it resting on the ground and when he shot it, the recoil sent the shotty down onto the concrete and then bounced over the fence...

[Cat_Doc]

There was a case here years ago when Police located a body in a back yard with a shotgun wound to the head. Patrols then located the gun over in the next door neighbours yard... initially investigated as a murder, then on closer examination, they found an indent in the concrete next to his feet.
Turned out that when he held the shotgun, he didn't have it resting on the ground and when he shot it, the recoil sent the shotty down onto the concrete and then bounced over the fence...

Good investigating. I should have added that you should investigate every suicide as a homicide until the facts lead you to the proper conclusion.

[Reconciler]

That's not all that uncommon. Quite often I've found what we call "hesitation shots" where they completely missed the first time. They would point the gun at their head, close their eyes and then unconsciously move the gun barrel as they pull the trigger.

I wouldn't doubt it. Sometimes those moments of hestiation or the "less drastic" methods of suicide are cries for help. "If they care enough, they'll save me" attitude....unfortunately those kind don't always have a happy ending.