Firearm injuries are commonly
encountered by Forensic pathologists. The autopsy technique for a firearm case
requires special care as the projectile has to be removed as evidence. Not allfirearm injuries result in death. Survivors may carry bullets in their bodiesfor long periods of time as souvenirs. Souvenir or retained bullets may
sometimes cause diagnostic problems regarding old or recent firearm wounds. We
present a case of a firearm fatality in which a souvenir bullet was found
during autopsy in a firearm victim.
If a bullet remains embedded in the
body for a long time, it is termed as a souvenir bullet. Bullets can be lodgedin bone or soft tissue in any firearm incident without causing any seriousdamage or may be located in an area where surgical removal could prove fatal.
It is advisable to leave the bullet as such if it is too dangerous to
manipulate or if it is lodged in an innocuous area without any potential risk
or complication.