Surfactant's photostream  

Submandibular gunshot wound from a 12 gauge shotgun. The majority of the cranium is missing in this radiograph because it is no longer associated with the normal anatomy. Suicide attempts such as this are not always fatal, due to various angulations and placements of the firearm. It is possible to miss the cranium entirely and be left with the horrifying situation of having no remaining facial structure at all, yet suffer no cognitive disability. Blindness, permanent respiratory support, and a missing face are real possibilities.

In this case, because the victim likely had the barrel of the gun pressed tightly under the chin and in a adequate angle...the rapidly expanding gasses from the propellant have followed the shot into the initial wound tract and have blown the entire brain out from the skull.

This ensures death.

Homicidal injury by knife. Blood has been forced into the left side of the chest and is visible in the areas marked by my notes.

Blind, partially deaf, and brilliant.