Sometimes a person found dead after being gored by an animal may be mistakenly assumed to have been murdered. A careful site examination and knowledge of animal hazards are essential for making the right call.
Being gored by an animal is most often encountered in agricultural communities with bulls, buffaloes or other animals with horms.
Parameter
Diagnosed as Goring
Misdiagnosed as Homicide
witnesses
present
none
appreciation of animal hazards
present
little or none
weapon at seen
absent
present
known enemy
no
yes
examination of animal
blood and human tissue on horn
animal not available or not examined
matching horn to wound
fits
not performed
where:
• Blood can be smeared on a horn. It is important to look for other human tissue on the horn.
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