Paul Murdaugh's Brain Would've Spattered All Over Shooter: Pathologist | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Dr. Riemer's analysis of a shotgun wound is incorrect as the lack of soot and stippling suggest the shot was fired from a distance. Pellets found in the left shoulder and jaw indicate a downward and outward trajectory.

Key Insights

• 📈 Dr. Riemer incorrectly analyzed a shotgun wound by suggesting an upward shot when the evidence suggests a downward trajectory.
• ❤️‍🔥 The absence of soot and stippling supports the theory that the shot was fired from a distance.
• 🗨️ Pellets found in the left shoulder and jaw indicate a downward and outward path.
• 🤕 The severe fractures in the victim's skull are consistent with a contact range shotgun wound to the top of the head.
• 🫢 Gas and pellet projection in a shotgun cause the brain to be pushed out, resulting in evisceration and potentially covering the shooter in materials.
• 🗨️ The presence of pellets in the left shoulder and scapula further supports the theory of a downward shot.
• 💀 The severity of the skull fractures and the missing top of the skull reinforce the argument against an upward shot.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did the lack of soot and stippling indicate the distance from which the shot was fired?

Soot and stippling on the skin occur when the gun is fired at close range. In this case, the absence of these marks suggests a distance of at least three to four feet.

Q: What evidence supports the presence of pellets in the left shoulder?

Photographs and X-rays show pellets embedded in the left shoulder tissue, indicating they traveled downward from the entrance wound.

Q: How severe were the fractures in the skull caused by the shotgun wound?

The X-ray revealed multiple comminuted fractures, indicating the shotgun was in contact with the top of the victim's head, causing severe damage.

Q: How does the gas and pellet projection mechanism work in a shotgun?

The gas from the shotgun's discharge pushes out the pellets, which continue forward, while the gas itself expands within the skull cavity, causing the skull to rupture and the brain to be forced out.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dr. Riemer's analysis of the shotgun wound is flawed due to the directionality and severity of the injuries.

• The entrance wound on the left shoulder lacks soot and stippling, suggesting a distance of at least three to four feet.

• Pellets found in the left shoulder and jaw indicate a downward trajectory, inconsistent with Dr. Riemer's theory of an upward shot.