TNAG-1101-FCO40-1351-Legislation-on-homosexuality-in-Hong-Kong-including--Report--1981 — Page 322

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In ition to reading the statements and examining photographs, I have had the

opportunity to examine the shirt and pullover worn by the deceased, John MacLennan.

In considering the type of weapon used, I agree with the analysis of P S PRESCOTT

that any form of accidental event can be ruled out. In my examination of the

statements and photographs, I adopted the approach of attempting to find any

ballistic or 'medico' ballistic which would exclude either option, namely that

the shots were fired by the deceased or another person.

MEDICAL

of

There is ample medical opinion, in the form statements expressed and quoted

instances, to show that even the most severe wound (Shot No 1 in the Post Mortem

Report by Dr WONG) would not necessarily have caused immediate death or incapacitation.

(Incapacitation being an inability to continue an intended activity). Dr ONG

offers 3 to 5 minutes during which 'life' was possible after receipt of a wound

comparable to Shot No 1, Dr GIBSON 2 minutes, Professor JOHNSTON 2 minutes and Dr

WONG in transcript statement, up to 10 or 20 minutes.

weapon used, I estimate that 2 or 3 seconds would be the fastest time that 5 shots

could be discharged and, therefore, that with at least one minute's consciousness

being medically available, it is feasible that the injuries were self inflicted.

Indeed, from a time aspect alone, it would be possible for the cylinder to be emptied

and all six shots fired.

From my knowledge of the type

From my knowledge of research and design, I know that it is relatively easy to

deliver a bullet wound which will inevitably end in death and, conversely, that

it is relatively difficult to cause a wound which will give immediate or

nearly immediate death or incapacitation.

Shots to the chest are less likely

to have an immediate disabling effect than, for example, shots to the head. As

the chest is not the most effective site, I am sure that sufficient time could have been

available for the wounds to be deliberately inflicted by the deceased, irrespective

of the order in which they were fired.

BALLISTIC

I am satisfied that the two experts who had the opprotunity to match bullets