Thali, M. J., Kneubuehl, B. P., Bolliger, S. A., Christe, A., Koenigsdorfer, U., Ozdoba, C., Spielvogel, E., and Dirnhofer, R. (2007). Forensic veterinary radiology: Ballistic-radiological 3D computertomographic reconstruction of an illegal lynx shooting in Switzerland. Forensic Science International 171: 63-66.

Keywords: 8CH/Eurasian lynx/forensic/illegal killing/Lynx lynx/pathology/poaching/veterinary

Abstract: The lynx, which was reintroduced to Switzerland after being exterminated at the beginning of the 20th century, is protected by Swiss law. However, poaching occurs from time to time, which makes criminal investigations necessary. In the presented case, an illegally shot lynx was examined by conventional plane radiography and three-dimensional multislice computertomography (3D MSCT), of which the latter yielded superior results with respect to documentation and reconstruction of the inflicted gunshot wounds.We believe that 3D MSCT, already described in human forensic-pathological cases, is also a suitable and promising new technique for veterinary pathology.

2

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Forensic Science International 171 (2007) 63–66

Case report

Forensic veterinary radiology: Ballistic-radiological 3D

computertomographic reconstruction of an illegal

lynx shooting in Switzerland

Michael J. Thali a,*, Beat P. Kneubuehl b, Stephan A. Bolliger a, Andreas Christe a,c,Urs Koenigsdorfer a, Christoph Ozdoba d, Elke Spielvogel d, Richard Dirnhofer a

a Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Berne, IRM, Buehlstrasse 20, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerlandb Ballistics and Detonation Laboratory, Armasuisse, Department 26, CH-3602 Thun, Switzerland

c Department for Diagnostic Radiology, University of Berne, Inselspital, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerlandd Department of Neuroradiology, University of Berne, Inselspital, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerland

Received 29 December 2005; received in revised form 21 March 2006; accepted 22 May 2006

Available online 10 July 2006

Abstract

The lynx, which was reintroduced to Switzerland after being exterminated at the beginning of the 20th century, is protected by Swiss law.

However, poaching occurs from time to time, which makes criminal investigations necessary. In the presented case, an illegally shot lynx was

examined by conventional plane radiography and three-dimensional multislice computertomography (3D MSCT), of which the latter yielded

superior results with respect to documentation and reconstruction of the inflicted gunshot wounds. We believe that 3D MSCT, already described in

human forensic-pathological cases, is also a suitable and promising new technique for veterinary pathology.

# 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Veterinary pathology; Lynx; Multislice computertomography; Virtual autopsy; Virtopsy

1. Introduction

The lynx (Lynx lynx) was completely exterminated in

Switzerland at the beginning of the 20th century. Only the

release of captive animals into the wild and protection

regulations enabled the present population of about 100 free-

living adult lynxes in Switzerland. The lynx is the largest feline

predator living in Switzerland. It differs from other cats by its

long-leggedness, which facilitates living in a snow-rich habitat.

Lynxes have now survived in Switzerland for about 30 years,

especially in the northwestern Alps and the Jura Mountains [1].

However, conflicts with hunters and sheep farmers arise from

time to time. In the northwestern Alps, the lynxes have

occupied almost all suitable habitats, thus giving rise to damage

to livestock. This damage was so great, that several lynxes had

to be culled. For this reason a resettlement, i.e. into eastern

Switzerland, was undertaken to minimise these problems.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +41 31 631 84 11; fax: +41 31 631 38 33.

E-mail address: michael.thali@irm.unibe.ch (M.J. Thali).

0379-0738/$ – see front matter # 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.05.044

Despite efforts of the Federal Bureau of Environment, Forestry

and Agriculture, as well as several lynx protection organisa-

tions, illegal shootings of these protected animals occur

occasionally. In the year 2000, poachers shot at least eight

lynxes, and since 1974 at least 50 illegal killings could be

proven [2].

2. Case report

In December 2000, a young lynx was found dead in a plastic

bag in front of a supermarket. The police ordered an

investigation, as the law in Switzerland protects these animals.

The Institute of Forensic Medicine of the University of

Berne was called upon by the Institute of Veterinary Pathology

to assess the discovered gunshot wounds.

3. Forensic examinations and results

A total of three through-and-through wounds and one

retained ricocheted, badly deformed, full steel-jacketed bullet

of indistinguishable calibre in the right forelimb were found in

M.J. Thali et al. / Forensic Science International 171 (2007) 63–6664

Fig. 1. Overview of the fur with four entry wounds on the right (red arrows) and

three exit wounds on the left side (yellow arrows). Fig. 2. Skinned animal cadaver with gunshot wounds in the thorax and lower

cervical region.

Fig. 3. Reconstruction of the gunshot wounds using the lynx fur in an upright

position.

the delivered fur (Fig. 1) and the already autopsied animal

cadaver (Fig. 2).

Four entry wounds were seen on the right side of the lynx

cadaver. No gunpowder residue could be detected in the

vicinity of the entrance wounds or the underlying bones. The

left side presented three exit wound groups located in

the cervical and the loin region, as well as the shoulder

blade.

For the reconstructive analysis of the bullet courses, the fur

was placed on the cadaver (Fig. 3) and conventional

radiographs (Fig. 4) and three-dimensional multislice com-

puted tomography (3D MSCT) examinations (Figs. 5 and 6)

were performed. The 3D MSCT scans proved superior to

conventional radiographs with respect to reconstruction of the

bullet course. Using 3D MSCT and subsequent 3D reconstruc-

tions (General Electric Advantage GE-Workstation) through-

and-through wounds of the shoulder blade and the vertebral

column could be visualised in addition to the ricocheted bullet

remains in the right forelimb (Fig. 5).

As in the entry wounds seen in the fur, the diameter of the

shoulder blade defect seen during autopsy (Fig. 7) and the

corresponding 3D MSCT image (Fig. 6) was about 5–6 mm. A

further through-and-through gunshot wound led to an injury of

the spine, which could be demonstrated using 3D MSCT

(Fig. 6). The veterinary-pathological autopsy showed multiple

pulmonary lacerations that led to a death due to exsanguination.

No pre-existing pathological findings could be detected during

autopsy. Therefore, death occurred solely due to the inflicted

gunshot injuries.

M.J. Thali et al. / Forensic Science International 171 (2007) 63–66 65

Fig. 4. Conventional plane radiograph showing bullet fragments in the right

forelimb (arrow). Note the loss of 3D information in the plane radiograph. Fig. 6. 3D MSCT: penetrating gunshot injury of the left shoulder blade (red

arrow) and of the spine (yellow arrow) are depicted.

4. Discussion

As has been described before [3], post-mortem radiological

examination of killed animals can give valuable initial or

additional information.

Fig. 5. 3D MSCT: reconstruction of the lynx skeleton. The arrows indicate the

gunshot injuries of the spine and the ricocheted bullet fragments in the right

forelimb.

In this case, it was clearly evident that the lynx had been shot

upon. However, the ricocheted and therefore badly deformed

full metal jacketed projectile found in the right forelimb of the

carcass gave no clue as to what kind of ammunition was used.

Although the highly elastic fur of the lynx leaves little or no

clues as to the diameter of the bullet, the bones do. In

extracranial bones of predominantly spongy structure, solid

bullets of calibre .22 tended towards the formation of holes

greater than the bullet diameter. The opposite was seen in

jacketed projectiles of calibre 7.65 and 9 mm [4]. As the

retrieved projectile was clearly jacketed, it is to be assumed that

the resulting hole should therefore be possibly smaller than the

osseous defect. Due to the entry wound diameters of the

shoulder blade of about 5–6 mm and the extent of the damage to

the spine, we concluded that the used ammunition was most

likely a projectile of 5 or 6 mm diameter. Therefore, a weapon

with calibre 5.6 mm is highly likely. Indeed, a weapon with a

full steel-jacketed projectile of calibre 5.6 mm, namely the

Swiss army assault rifle, springs to mind. As this is the usual

army ordinance weapon of an army mainly based on

compulsory military service, this assault rifle is extremely

widespread in Switzerland. The use of another rifle with a

likewise full metal design and calibre 5.6 mm, as in the case of

certain hunting rifles can obviously not be excluded. However,

M.J. Thali et al. / Forensic Science International 171 (2007) 63–6666

Fig. 7. Corresponding view of the dissected shoulder blade seen in Fig. 6.

such hunting rifles are far rarer than the above mentioned

assault rifle which is present in most Swiss households.

The injuries were caused by several single shots, of which

one bullet was deflected from the ground and ricocheted into

the right forelimb of the lynx. As the spine and the spinal cord

were severed, the animal was probably paralysed shortly before

death. Death occurred due to a fatal haemorrhage due to

multiple pulmonary lacerations.

The multislice computed tomography examination was

superior to the conventional plane radiograph with regard to

reconstructive ballistic questions. This was most evident in the

osseous system with regard to documentation and significance.

In contrast to the two-dimensional conventional radiograph,

which portrays a three-dimensional body onto a two-dimensional

film, computed tomography allowed for a three-dimensional

documentation.

The post-processing of the three-dimensional CT data

enables for, as shown in this case (Figs. 5 and 6), new

documentation and visualisation possibilities for the presenta-

tion of forensic–morphologic results. As has already been

shown in the past on humans [5–9], 3D MSCT has an enormous

potential in the field of case reconstruction in forensic

medicine. As this case report demonstrates, this obviously

does not only apply for human cases, but also for forensic

veterinary cases.

Acknowledgment

We are grateful to the Institute of Veterinary Pathology of

the University Berne, Switzerland, for expert advice on

lynxes.

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