Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2010. / Mode of access: Internet. Title from PDF title page; viewed on April 14, 2010. Major professor: Dr. Lanny Griffin. "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering." "April 2010." Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-75).

Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Forensic Science, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (Proquest, viewed on Aug. 12, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-76).

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2007. / Vita. Appendix: leaves 113-114. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-118).

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2007. / Vita. Appendix: leaves 113-114. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-118).

xii, 57 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / The goals of this study are to assess a) the role of mass and velocity on the size of entrance wounds, b) the presence or absence and types of exit wounds, and c) the role of gender in choosing to commit suicide with a firearm. The results of an ANOVA revealed that the combination of a bullet’s mass and the relative velocity of the weapon is the most significant factor in entrance wound size. A logistic regression found that mass plays the most significant role in the presence of an exit wound. When considered separately, velocity had a more significant effect on exit type than did mass. The study also found that being male increases the odds that a firearm will be chosen to commit suicide. Handguns and the head were the most common choices for weapon and wound location, respectively, in both firearm suicides and homicides. / Committee in charge: Dr. John Lukacs, Chairperson; Dr. Andrew Karduna, Member; Dr. David Levin, Member

Firearm fatalities in South Africa are responsible for a very large number of fatalities. For purposes of judicial administration, determination of manner of death, in particular, differentiating between homicidal, accidental and suicidal death, is one of the primary objectives in fatal shooting investigations. Determining the muzzle-target distance can assist in establishing the manner of death, since contact gunshot wounds are seldom seen in cases of homicidal or accidental death. It has been reported that muzzle-target distance can be confirmed by detection of blood back spatter on the inner and outer surfaces of the weapons. To determine whether this phenomenon was being used to assist the forensiometric analysis of fatalities, a study was undertaken whereby weapons used to inflict fatal contact gunshot wounds in victims presenting at the Pretoria MLL, were requested for biological analysis during the period June 2002 to June 2003. Of the 123 cases identified, only 30 firearms were delivered to the FSL for analysis. Blood was found on the inside of barrels in 70% of cases, and the outer surface in 40%. These figures do not correlate well with international studies. The very low retrieval rate of weapons for analysis precludes the use of an important forensiometric tool in medico-legal investigation of firearm related fatalities in Pretoria. The urgent need to develop adequate protocols with respect to police handling of weapons is hereby confirmed. / Dissertation (MSc(Medical Criminalistics))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Forensic Medicine / unrestricted

The overall aim of this study is to explore the subjective experiences of psychotherapeutic interventions and the sense-making process in a group of persons paralysed as a consequence of violence-related gunshot injury. An available and purposive sample of ten participants was selected from public and private hospitals in and around Johannesburg, and from the Association for the Physically Disabled in South Africa. Three females and seven males, between the ages of 26 and 43 years, took part in the research. The participants had all suffered penetrative damage to the spinal cord in the thoracic region as a result of violence related gunshot injury, and are therefore classified as having paraplegia The participants' gunshot injuries had been sustained in incidents ranging from attempted hijacking and armed robbery, to being caught in crime-related crossfire. In-depth interviews were conducted with the participants. A narrative approach was used to examine participants' unique stories, utilising a systematic form of narrative analysis. The thesis consists of three articles, namely 1) The subjective experience of psychotherapeutic interventions in the rehabilitation of persons paralysed as a result of violence-related gunshot injuries; 2) Making sense of paraplegia caused by violence-related gunshot injury; and 3) Therapeutic guidelines for the management of persons paralysed as a result of violence-related gunshot injuries. The findings of article 1 reveal that paraplegic persons had both positive and negative experiences during their hospital rehabilitation. Ultimately, however, positive experiences compensated for negative experiences. This suggests that in the absence of psychotherapeutic interventions, psychosocial adjustment may possibly not be facilitated. The second article indicates that although several barriers prevented participants from making sense of their trauma, meaningful relationships, spiritual growth and a greater appreciation of the value of life were still possible. in the final article guidelines were put forward that include meeting the holistic and adjustment needs of paraplegic persons. Future research is suggested and limitations acknowledged. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The overall aim of this study is to explore the subjective experiences of psychotherapeutic interventions and the sense-making process in a group of persons paralysed as a consequence of violence-related gunshot injury. An available and purposive sample of ten participants was selected from public and private hospitals in and around Johannesburg, and from the Association for the Physically Disabled in South Africa. Three females and seven males, between the ages of 26 and 43 years, took part in the research. The participants had all suffered penetrative damage to the spinal cord in the thoracic region as a result of violence related gunshot injury, and are therefore classified as having paraplegia The participants' gunshot injuries had been sustained in incidents ranging from attempted hijacking and armed robbery, to being caught in crime-related crossfire. In-depth interviews were conducted with the participants. A narrative approach was used to examine participants' unique stories, utilising a systematic form of narrative analysis. The thesis consists of three articles, namely 1) The subjective experience of psychotherapeutic interventions in the rehabilitation of persons paralysed as a result of violence-related gunshot injuries; 2) Making sense of paraplegia caused by violence-related gunshot injury; and 3) Therapeutic guidelines for the management of persons paralysed as a result of violence-related gunshot injuries. The findings of article 1 reveal that paraplegic persons had both positive and negative experiences during their hospital rehabilitation. Ultimately, however, positive experiences compensated for negative experiences. This suggests that in the absence of psychotherapeutic interventions, psychosocial adjustment may possibly not be facilitated. The second article indicates that although several barriers prevented participants from making sense of their trauma, meaningful relationships, spiritual growth and a greater appreciation of the value of life were still possible. in the final article guidelines were put forward that include meeting the holistic and adjustment needs of paraplegic persons. Future research is suggested and limitations acknowledged. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Background: Cerebrovascular injury (CVI) is a potentially devastating complication of gunshot wounds to the head (GSWH), with yet unclear incidence and prognostic implications. Few studies have also attempted to define CVI risk factors and their role in patient outcomes. We aimed to describe 10 years of CVI from GSWH and characterize these injury patterns. Methods: Single-institution data from 2009 to 2019 were queried to identify patients presenting with dural-penetrating GSWH. Patient records were reviewed for GSWH characteristics, CVI patterns, management, and follow-up. Results: Overall, 63 of 297 patients with GSWH underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) with 44.4% showing CVI. The middle cerebral artery (22.2%), dural venous sinuses (15.9%), and internal carotid artery (14.3%) were most frequently injured. Arterial occlusion was the most prominent injury type (22.2%) followed by sinus thrombosis (15.9%). One fifth of patients underwent delayed repeat CTA, with 20.1% showing new/previously unrecognized CVI. Bihemispheric bullet tracts were associated with CVI occurrence (P = 0.001) and mortality (P = 0.034). Dissection injuries (P = 0.013), injuries to the vertebrobasilar system (P = 0.036), or the presence of ≥2 concurrent CVIs (P = 0.024) were associated with increased risk of mortality. Of patients with CVI on initial CTA, 30% died within the first 24 hours. Conclusions: CVI was found in 44.4% of patients who underwent CTA. Dissection and vertebrobasilar injuries are associated with the highest mortality. CTA should be considered in any potentially survivable GSWH. Longitudinal study with consistent CTA use is necessary to determine the true prevalence of CVI and optimize the use of imaging modalities.

Background: Cerebrovascular injury (CVI) is a potentially devastating complication of gunshot wounds to the head (GSWH), with yet unclear incidence and prognostic implications. Few studies have also attempted to define CVI risk factors and their role in patient outcomes. We aimed to describe 10 years of CVI from GSWH and characterize these injury patterns. Methods: Single-institution data from 2009 to 2019 were queried to identify patients presenting with dural-penetrating GSWH. Patient records were reviewed for GSWH characteristics, CVI patterns, management, and follow-up. Results: Overall, 63 of 297 patients with GSWH underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) with 44.4% showing CVI. The middle cerebral artery (22.2%), dural venous sinuses (15.9%), and internal carotid artery (14.3%) were most frequently injured. Arterial occlusion was the most prominent injury type (22.2%) followed by sinus thrombosis (15.9%). One fifth of patients underwent delayed repeat CTA, with 20.1% showing new/previously unrecognized CVI. Bihemispheric bullet tracts were associated with CVI occurrence (P = 0.001) and mortality (P = 0.034). Dissection injuries (P = 0.013), injuries to the vertebrobasilar system (P = 0.036), or the presence of ≥2 concurrent CVIs (P = 0.024) were associated with increased risk of mortality. Of patients with CVI on initial CTA, 30% died within the first 24 hours. Conclusions: CVI was found in 44.4% of patients who underwent CTA. Dissection and vertebrobasilar injuries are associated with the highest mortality. CTA should be considered in any potentially survivable GSWH. Longitudinal study with consistent CTA use is necessary to determine the true prevalence of CVI and optimize the use of imaging modalities.