GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS.
Few medical men there are who have long engaged in practice who have not been compelled to take part in some medico-legal controversy in cases of accidental or alleged homicidal gunshot wounds. So soon as death occurs the surgeon ceases to work as such, but may continue to work as a medical jurist, and in preparation for this event must be ready to answer any questions bearing upon the case which, though possibly ridiculous in surgery, are or may be necessary in law. He may be called upon to testify as to the precise nature of a wound inflicted upon the body of a man seen before or after death; as to the means by which it was inflicted; whether the purport was suicidal or homicidal; how much blood was lost; whether the weapon was near to or at a distance from the body when fired; whether it were possible that the deceased could have fired it himself; whether after the reception of the wound the person could have moved or performed any act—in other words, whether death was instantaneous. He may be asked also as to genuine or spurious blood-stains, whether genuine blood-stains were human or from some other animal; whether possibly they were from the body of the deceased. He will be expected to tell from what direction the bullet or missile was fired; which the wound of entrance and which of exit, and many other things possible concerning the circumstances under which death occurred. It is unnecessary to state that questions of this nature call not only for conventional surgical skill, but for the highest degree of shrewdness and general information, as well as sometimes for expert knowledge with regard to small-arms and their ballistics.
It has been well said that the first duty of a medical jurist is to cultivate a habit of minute observation. When this is combined with a knowledge of what the law requires and with the results of a technical education, he will be able to meet all or nearly all of the scientific questions which may be asked of him. A learned judge once said that “a medical man when he sees a dead body should notice everything.” Certainly he should make a minute scrutiny of the body to note whether there are upon the dress or hands of the deceased marks of blood, or whether blood-stains are noted in different parts of the room; whether the body or any part of it is cold or warm; whether the limbs are cold or rigid or pliant, since by these means the accurate date of death may be more accurately determined.