Radiological Revelation of a Concealed Shotgun Injury in a Decomposed, Looted Driver: Postmortem Artefacts Misleading a Homicide Investigation

In the silent realm of decomposition, where time obscures truth and scavengers leave deceptive marks, distinguishing antemortem trauma from postmortem artefacts becomes a formidable challenge. This case unravels a chilling forensic mystery—a severely decomposed male body discovered abandoned and extensively scavenged, with its disfigured state suggesting postmortem animal activity. Yet, something did not add up. X-rays performed before autopsy revealed a suspicious cluster of radiopaque densities in the cranio-cervical region, demanding closer scrutiny. Guided by these unexpected findings, meticulous dissection uncovered multiple metallic projectiles aligned in a ballistic path, exposing a concealed shotgun injury. This case illustrates the indispensable role of radiological examination in detecting covert trauma in decomposed remains and urges its integration into standard autopsy protocols, especially when scavenging artefacts blur the line between decomposition and foul play.