The hydrodynamic effect of gunshots in cranial explosive shots

Case report on five fatal gunshot injuries in which discharge of the cranial contents had occurred owing to a skull blast. Despite an appreciable explosive action with destruction of the bony cranium, the brains were not completely destroyed. In analogy to the "Kr?nlein shot", comparative reflections were made concerning wound ballistics. The case reports show that injury patterns resembling "Kr?nlein shot" may arise in cranial blast shots in rare cases despite destroyed projectile parts and even in a mouth shot.     

The expert assessment of gunshot entry holes in the cranial vault

Expert must evaluate with great attention the calibre of a gun from which a shot was made as expert errors are not rare. Diameter of inlet wound at the skull vault bones may significantly exceed the bullet calibre. The final decision on the calibre of a gun used to produce body injuries can be made after experimental shots at biomannequin.     

毛发枪弹损伤的环境扫描电镜研究

目的探讨毛发枪弹损伤微观形态与射击距离之间的关系。方法应用环境扫描电镜/能谱仪对64式手枪在0~200cm范围内射击造成的毛发损伤及附着物进行形态和成分分析。结果0~30cm射击,毛发表面粘附有大量密集分布的球形射击残留物颗粒,鳞片有严重斑纹状损伤和崩裂缺损;30~60cm射击,毛发表面粘附有较多散在分布的球形射击残留物颗粒,鳞片有轻微斑纹状损伤和崩裂缺损;100cm距离射击,毛发表面粘附有少数个别射击残留物颗粒,鳞片无斑纹状损伤;200cm距离射击,毛发表面无射击残留物。毛发枪弹射击断裂形态差异较大,大体分为剪切断裂和牵拉断裂两种类型,与射击距离无明显相关性。结论毛发表面粘附的大量球形射击残留物颗粒及其造成的鳞片斑纹状损伤对于法医学鉴定贴近距离射击((30cm)具有重要的实用价值。     

Expert evaluation of the gunshot distance based on the volume of wound canal in flat bones

Different-distance experimental shots were made from a rifled gun at flat bones. Those shot distances were established, at which the wound canal had the smallest volume, and, at which entry and exit holes were virtually identical and matched the bullet diameter. A bigger shot distance was associated with an increasing volume of the wound canal caused by a bigger exit hole. A smaller shot distance led, also, to an increasing volume of the wound canal caused by bigger entry and exit holes. The volume of the wound canal in flat bones can be used as a reliable criterion in assessing the shot distance.     

Assessment of accumulation of the shot products on the targets in shooting from a short-barreled gun with a muffler for estimation of shooting distance

A practical expert task--to estimate shot distance and order of shots made in two victims from a gun with muffler--is described as illustration of opportunities of the complex investigation with experimental shots and emission spectral analysis of the targets. Distribution of the shot soot on the targets in shooting from the distance up to 1 m is analyzed.     

体内弹道射击角度的计算与分析

目的　推断被枪击者在中弹瞬间所处的位置和姿势以及枪支击发时的位置。方法　采用立体几何作图法和三角函数计算法进行体内弹道射击角度计算。结果　可以准确计算枪弹弹道与人体解剖学三维断面———矢状面、冠状面、水平面产生的角度。结论　可以确定被枪击者中弹瞬间的位置及体位或枪支击发时的位置 ,对分析案件性质有非常重要的法医学意义     

The influence of a shot distance on a profile of a wound canal in flat bones

Experimental shots were made from rifled weapons, from different distances, at isolated flat bones. There was established a significantly increased angle of the axial section of the cone-shaped defect due to the expanding sizes of the exit part of the wound canal (WC) and of the outlet opening as the shot distances increased. An expert's evaluation is offered to assess a shot distance involving the WC profile and by calculating an angle of the axial section of the cone-shaped defect on the basis of the inlet and outlet sizes and of the flat-bone thickness.     

A case of disguised suicide

A case of disguised suicide is presented. A 77-year-old man had made technical arrangements so that the pistol with which he shot himself was thrown aside by the elasticity of a rubber band, to which it was tied, and was thereby hidden. After the shot the man fell and crushed his head, which initially concealed the bullet wound. A scrutinizing technical investigation at the scence of the death with close collaboration between the experts involved, revealed the true circumstances. No explanation for the attempt to conceal the suicide was found.     

Gunpowder particles as a factor in a gunshot from up close

Existence of different opinions on the role of gunpowder particles in determining close shot distance promoted the experiments with pistol "PM" and sporting fowling piece in vertical and horizontal directions at different distances from 0.5 up to 2.5 m using targets made of pasteboard and moistened photographic paper. The quantities of gunpowder particles on the targets which were calculated by stereoscopic microscope increased distinctly in vertical shot direction (from above downwards), especially at distances 2 and 2.5 m and particle flight distance rose; in horizontal shot direction distances of gunpowder particle flight didn't exceed 2-3 m.     

The use of the laser for determining the direction of the shots and the position of the victim's body in gunshot wounds

In this article a practical case is described when gunshot directions and position of a victim's body at the moment of each shot were determined by natural simulation using an LG-78 laser (made in the form of a gun).     

The chemical action of gun powder gases on biological tissues in a point-blank shot]

Chemical effect of gun powder gas on the biologic tissues manifests by red-brown staining of the tissues, mainly at the expense of methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin. Scarlet staining of the tissues at the edges of gun-shot wounds is not a specific marker of a shot made from a short distance; it may emerge several hours after wounding at the expense of hydroxy-hemoglobin and is not at all related to the chemical effect of gun powder gas. The conditions conducive to scarlet staining are an open wound permitting free oxygenation by air oxygen and hemoglobin transfer from the injured red cells into blood plasma and adjacent tissues.     

Suicidal shot in the mouth with a rubber shot shell

The purpose of weapons designed for self-defence and their ammunition is to allow effective defence without causing serious injury provided that the recommended minimum firing distance is observed. However, close-range and contact shots to vulnerable body regions may cause severe or even fatal injuries. The authors report on a suicide who fired a fatal shot in his mouth with a weapon for self-defence. The weapon used was a double-barrelled SAPL break-action gun, mod. GC 54, from which a Mini Gomm-Cogne, cal. 12/50 rubber shot shell was fired. The wound findings and ballistic characteristics of the weapon are presented and discussed.     

Characteristics and Frequency of Chipping Effects in Near‐Contact Gunshot Wounds

The presence of “chipping” or “flaking” around the edges of gunshot entry wounds has been described among the characteristics of gunshot wounds in bone. In this study, the real frequency of such a peculiar feature was investigated. The presence of “chipping” was assessed on 22 gunshot wounds fired at a near‐contact range on bovine ribs with 9‐mm bullets. As controls, five samples were shot with a 3 cm range, and five from 40 cm. In 77% of cases shot at near‐contact range, a detachment of small fragments of the upper layers of bone was detected, mainly with a circumferential disposition, whereas this feature was lacking in control samples. The study demonstrated the frequency of “chipping” and that it may probably be due to a combined ballistic effect of impact of the bullet itself and expansion of gases. It may be thus considered indicative of close‐range shots.     

Children's truthful and deceptive testimonies: How camera perspective affects adult observers’ perception and assessment

Abstract

This experimental study investigates adults’ perception and assessments of children's testimonies as a function of camera shot (close-up shot vs medium shot vs long shot) and camera focus (child only vs child and interviewer). Truth-telling and lying children were interviewed and videotaped simultaneously by four cameras, each taking a different visual perspective (‘close-up shot/child only’, ‘medium shot/child only’, ‘medium shot/child and interviewer’, ‘long shot/child and interviewer’). Mock jurors (N=256) watched the videotaped testimonies and rated their perception of the children's statement and appearance, and assessed the children's veracity. Children seen in long shot were perceived as more neutral and relaxed, and children seen in close-up were perceived as having to think harder. The adult's deception detection accuracy was at chance level. The results suggest that legal policy-makers should consider the outcome of psycho-legal research on camera perspective when establishing and/or reforming standards for police interviews and courtroom procedures.     

Higher education and police use of deadly force

The evidence on the impact of higher education on police use of force is mixed, perhaps because of the characteristics of different indicators or samples. This study compares the educational levels of officers who did and did not shoot their weapons, who shot following different types of citizen behavior, and who shot with and without justification over a seven-year period in the Kansas City, Missouri police department. Virtually no significant differences emerge, but the absence of differences even when controlling for assignment, age, and length of service may be due to the lack of older college graduates in the sample. Until more and older college graduates are available for study it is probably not possible to conclude what impact college, and different kinds of college education, have upon police use of deadly force.     

Evaluation of injuries features inflicted by shots from gas guns by emission spectral analysis

The authors describe a methodological approach to emission spectral analysis of material evidences aimed at evaluating the regularities of deposition of the shot metals at the site of injuries inflicted by gas guns. Injuries inflicted by gunshots with chemical cartridges and with shot cartridges, with and without obstructions, from different distances have been examined. The detected regularities may be useful in forensic medical expert evaluations by means of emission spectral analysis in cases with gas gunshots.     

The effects of various intermediate targets on dispersion of shotgun patterns.

Intermediate targets cause dispersion of a shot pattern by a ricochet effect. Thus, the intermediate target must have sufficient thickness or tensile strength to slow down the initial group of shot striking the target. Aluminum and steel screen, ordinary window glass, thin cardboard and thin cowhide did not manifest these qualities under the conditions of these experiments.     

Persistence of Biological Traces at Inside Parts of a Firearm from a Case of Multiple Familial Homicide

Backspatter from wounds caused by contact shots against a biological target had before been shown to be propelled into firearms' barrels where they can persist and be retrieved from as relevant forensic evidence. Herein, that insight was applied to the investigation of a case of multiple familial homicide with a firearm. Samples of backspatter were collected from the firearm using DNA‐free swabs. DNA was extracted from the swabs, and 16 STR systems were PCR‐amplified to generate DNA profiles of all victims shot by the firearm. The quality of the resulting DNA profiles was sufficient to exclude the perpetrator as donor and to differentiate the three closely related victims thereby proving that all three victims had been shot by the same firearm from very close or contact distance. A key insight gained from this case was that not only a firearms' barrel inside but other inner surfaces may be charged with profilable DNA.     

Multiple suicidal gunshots to the head

We report two cases of suicide by multiple gunshots to the head. The first victim (of two shots) fired the first shot, which was observed, into his mouth, leading to damage to the left optic nerve and frontal lobe. The man still was able to drive his car home, where he shot himself in his right temple. He died 2 days later. The second victim (of three shots) was a 58-year-old man who was found dead on his bed. Reconstruction of the case disclosed that the first shot had passed through his tongue and slightly damaged the second cervical vertebral body. He then shot himself in his right temple, leading to damage of the temporal lobe. Finally, he shot himself in his left temple, resulting in destruction of the pons. In the first case, an amateurishly modified 8-mm blank revolver firing 6.35-mm- (.25)-caliber ammunition was used; in the second case, a rifle firing 5.6-mm (.22)-caliber ammunition with a reduced charge was used. In both cases, low-energy transfer to brain tissue by the initial bullets was due to low bullet energy or due to the bullets' missing the brain or vital centers.     

跳弹创形态学的实验研究

目的 探讨跳弹创形成的条件,研究跳弹在体内弹道学特点及致伤能力,建立跳弹创的诊断依据。方法选用国产54式手枪及56式半自动步枪,配用51式手枪弹及56式步枪弹以水磨石板为反跳靶体,射击约克夏种猪4头,复制出跳弹创模型12例。观察射入口、创道及着弹点特征。结果 跳弹的形成受靶体性状、弹头形态和速度、入射角与反跳角等条件因素的影响;在相同条件下高初速尖型弹头的反跳角<低初速圆型弹头;创道无明显瞬时空腔效应;根据实验结果建立了6项诊断依据。结论 正确诊断跳弹创对射击方向和距离、重建弹道、分析枪击目的、评估损伤程度有实用价值。