Jul 25, 2006

The Un-Dead

    Got called out to a shooting victim call, and as usual, the ambulance had transported the victim to the hospital.  I think that they would transport dirt on an archeological dig if they thought they could bill Medicare. 

 

    Anyway, I get to the hospital and the nurses (who see the badge) point me to the trauma care room.  I walk in, and there are a few people still around the body.  I saw that an x-ray was up on the wall, what looked like a broken-up .22 bullet was inside the skull.  The victim looked to be a 50-ish woman, who looked to be well-dressed and in good shape (other than the .22 caliber hole in her head).  I looked close at the hole in the head: right side temple, contact wound.  I then looked at the heel and fingers of her right hand: small, pin-pricks of blood were on the top of her knuckles. 

 

    I called the Patrol Sergeant at the scene and found that the scene and witness all pointed to suicide.  The evidence on the body pointed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.  I then set about photographing the evidence on the body, which included me diving in with gloved hands to lift hair away from the wound, and also picking up the right hand to photograph the blood.  As I held the hand to take the picture, the body suddenly squeezed my hand.  After I did a little “Guh guh guh” move, and put near tossed my camera through the defibulater, I realized that the machines were still hooked up and the victim was still breathing.  The nurse looked over at me with an amused look and said, “We are leaving her hooked up to life support until the family gets here.”  Thanks for telling me. 

 

    I won’t ever complain again at a smelly, rotten one ... at least the only movement is the bugs. 

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

HAAAAAAAA!!!! Outstanding work, Detective. Did she make any declarations?

I'd slap the crap out of that nurse on your way out.

Anonymous said...

OMG! I would have had to change my clothes!  
Jackie

Anonymous said...

I woul d have had to mop up the flor !!!!!
BEcky

Anonymous said...

I think I would of screamed so loud I could of woke up the dead! For everything you have to see and everything you have to deal with I thank you....it is a job I could never do.

Anonymous said...

was there ever an attempt to remove the bullet from this woman's head? Was there a suicide note found of any kind? There must of been some type of brain activity if she was able to squeeze your hand being on life support. Medical issues are so intense at times. Glad to see your on the job, ridding our world of harm. stay safe.
Cindy

Anonymous said...

I would have had to change my shorts.
-Paul
http://journals.aol.ca/plittle/AuroraWalkingVacation/

Anonymous said...

Yes, Dave, I'd be one of those having to change my clothes, and maybe I'd need a defibrilator to get me going again. Do you think she didn't tell you just to get a laugh herself? Naw, nurses don't do that. Do they?  : - )  Bea

Anonymous said...

Whoa!!!!!!!!! Yep I would have had to go clean myself up!!!! LOL.... seems like they could have warned you!!!!! http://journals.aol.com/shayshaydc/Golfaholic
Sharon:)

Anonymous said...

I would have died right then and there!

Kathy

Anonymous said...

LOL, that is sooooo funny, especially since it happened to you and not me.....teeheehee

Anonymous said...

As always, thanks for letting us in on your life as a cop!  Keep the stories coming ... we love 'em!  Patty

Anonymous said...

I've had that happen SO many times, and it never ceases to scare the living daylights out of me.  Humans frequently have a good tidal volume of air still left in the lungs, and many moments after death they can scream or moan.  Another interesting phenomenon is a spontaneous muscle contraction after death causing the body to suddenly try to sit up!

So incredibly scary!

Anonymous said...

Oh yes......and no slapping nurses around Remo.......unless you wanna try me.  I am sometimes very naughty.

Anonymous said...

OMG, They would have been using that defibulater on me, lol. Great story as usual.
                                 Cyndy

Anonymous said...

I think they would have been picking me up off the ground. :). Great story, but I am glad I wasn't there.
Barbara

Anonymous said...

Good God! I'll take my whining students over that!