7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
1/101
9/13/2013
1
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
2/101
FIREARM WOUNDS
By
Dr. Arif Rasheed MalikAssociate Professor & Head
Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology,
SIMS, Lahore
9/13/2013
2
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
3/101
WEAPONSAREFASHIONACCESSORIESAND
EASILYAVAILABLE
9/13/2013
3
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
4/101
FIREARMWOUNDS
Firearm wounding is a special form of trauma producing a breech through the body of a person by a bullet or shotcharge
Pr inc ip les & Pract ice of Forensic Medic ineby Nasib R. Awan
9/13/2013
4
Firearm
An instrument or device with which it is possible
to propel a projectile by means of the expansive
force of the gases generated by the combustion
of an explosive substance
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
5/101
HISTORYOF FIREARMS Firearms came to Europe from China To produce an efficient firearm, there are three basic criteria to
be met. Weapon should be capable of causing substantial damage It should be reliable & convenient to use It should be reasonably accurate
Reverend Alexander John Forsythe, in 1807, living near Aberdeen,Scotland, held the first patent for apercussion ignition system..
9/13/2013
5
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
6/101
HISTORYOF PROJECTILEWEAPONRY
Earliest weapons: bow andarrow, crossbow, simplecatapult to huge ballistics /trebuchet
Gunpowderdeveloped in china
1500 yrs ago; came to Europeand from 14th century used asweapon
Gunpowder= Charcoal,Saltpetre (Potassium Nitrite),Sulphur
Earliest guns were cannons,front then breech loading
Early guns flintlock muzzleloading with 3 parts lock,stock and barrel
9/13/2013
6
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
7/101
ASSAULTRIFLES9/13/2013
7
AK-47 Assault rifle
Developed: 1974
Mikael Kalashnikov
Caliber: 5.45mmMagazine capacity: 30
Loaded weight: 3,600g
Killing range: 1,350m
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
8/101
BALLISTICS
Knowledge of physical forces acting on the projectile
& missile by Nasib R. Awan
Interior Ballistics
Exterior Ballistics
Terminal / Wound Ballistics
9/13/2013
8
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
9/101
9/13/2013
9
Interior ballistics
Exterior ballistics
TH
E
O
R
E
TI
C
A
L
P
R
A
C
T
IC
A
L
Wound ballistics
Clear Concept
Ballistics
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
10/101
INTERIOR BALLISTICS
Knowledge of the forces responsible for propulsion
of projectile within the bore of the barrel till the end
of the projectile.
9/13/2013
10
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
11/101
Understanding pre-requires knowledge of:-
1- Missile design & cycle of fire.
2- Ammunition design.
Missile design & cycle of fireMissile design:-
a- Portion containing mechanical device (not
important).
b- Barrel for jetting of the projectile (Importantbecause it has relation to WOUND BALLISTICS).
9/13/2013
11
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
12/101
FIREARM DESIGN
9/13/2013
12
Grip Action Barrel
Grip or
But StockAction
Barrel
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
13/101
FIREARMS
9/13/2013
13
Thompson
9 mm
Luger 9mmColt 45
5.7 mm
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
14/101
CLASSIFICATIONOF FIREARMS
Barrel Steel tube for jetting of the
projectile. Two ends ---
Breach & Muzzle end
Bore
Internal diameter of the
barrel. May be SMOOTH
or RIFLED
9/13/2013
14
Classified on the basis of Barrel
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
15/101
CLASSIFICATIONOF FIREARMS
9/13/2013
15
Smooth Bored
Choked Non choked
Rifled
Short Barrel Long Barrel
Barrel Rifling
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
16/101
CHOKINGOF SMOOTHBORE FIREARM9/13/2013
16
18.80 mm 18.40 mm
Cylindrical portion
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
17/101
TYPES OF CHOKING OF BARREL OF SHOT GUN
CHOKE PERCENTAGE OF
PELLETS AT 40 YARDS
IN 30 INCH CIRCLE
FULL CHOKE 65 - 75
MODIFIED CHOKE 45 - 55
IMPROVED
CYLINDER
35 - 45
CYLINDER 25 - 35
9/13/2013
17
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
18/101
Cycle of fire:- Three stages:-
i- Cartridge feeding and chambering.
ii- Striking of fire
iii- Extraction of fire cartridge.
9/13/2013
18
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
19/101
AMMUNITION DESIGNPROJECTILECONSISTSOF:-
Cartridge Case
Primer Powder charge (Black or Smokeless)
Plastic Wad
Shot charge (Bullet or Lead shots)
9/13/2013
19
C
A
R
T
R
I
D
G
E
B
U
LL
E
T
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
20/101
9/13/2013
20
CARTRIDGE CASE
Function: expands and seals chamber against rearwardescape of gases.
Composition: usually brass (70% copper 30% zinc); also
plastic and paper in shotgun shell tubes.
Shape: (a) straight ("always" pistol ammunition)
(b) bottleneck ("always" rifle ammunition)
(c) tapered ("obsolete").
Extractor flange: configuration at base; rimmed, semi-rimmed,
rimless ,belted, rebated.
Headstamp: manufacturers identifiction imprinted or embossedon cartrid e case.
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
21/101
CARTRIDGE CASE
9/13/2013
21
I. Cartridge cases (outer covering of the cartridge) are
made up ofCardboard & plastic.
II. Bullet cases are made ofbrass (70% copper and
30% zinc).
III. A few have a nickel coating.IV. Primer casesare of similar composition (Cu-Zn).
V. Bullet cores are most often lead and antimony,
with a very few having a ferrous alloy core.
VI. Bullet jackets are usually brass (90% copper with10% zinc), but some are a ferrous alloy and some
are aluminum. Some bullet coatings may also
contain nickel (Ravreby, 1982)
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
22/101
FUNCTIONS OF CARTRIDGE CASE
CONTAINS AND KEEPS THE INNER CONTENTS
IN POSITION
PREVENTS THE BACK ESCAPE OF GASES PROTECTION TO THE CONTENTS
TYPES OF CARTRIDGE CASES
Rimmed, Semi rimmed, Rimless, Rebated, Belted
CSAELESS CARTRIDGE
9/13/2013
22
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
23/101
PRIMER
9/13/2013
23
The major primer elements are Lead styphnate(Pb), Barium
nitrate (Ba), or a Antimony sulphide(Sb). Usually, all three arepresent.
Less common elements includeAluminum (Al), Sulfur (S), Tin
(Sn), Calcium (Ca), Potassium (K), Chlorine (Cl), or Silicon (Si).
Primer elements may be easier to detect in residues because
they do not get as hot as the powder, and compounds (not justelements) may be detectable. (Tassa et al, 1982b)
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
24/101
9/13/2013
24
Function: explodes on compression igniting the propellant.
Location: (a) centrefire. Centrally placed primer assemblycomprising primer cup (struck by firing pin), primer, anvil with flash
holes. Boxer design (USA) or Berdan design (Europe).
(b) rimfire. No primer assembly. Primer spun into rimof cartridge case (rim struck by firing pin) and in contact with
propellant.
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
25/101
VARIOUSTYPESOF AMMUNITION
9/13/2013
25
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
26/101
POWDER CHARGE
Modern gunpowder, or "smokeless" powder, can contain
up to 23 organic compounds (FBI study)Nitrocelluloseis virtually always present, along with other compoundscontaining nitrate or nitrogen.
One of these compounds, diphenylamine (used as astabilizer in the powder), can be detected using reagentscontaining sulfuric acid. (Maloney et al, 1982).
Modern gun powders are also described as "single-base"when the basic ingredient is nitrocellulose and as"double-base" when there is additionally 1 to 40%nitroglycerine added. If nitroguanidine it is Triple base.
Hardy and Chera (1979) describe a method todifferentiate them using a mass spectrometer .
9/13/2013
26
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
27/101
BLACK GUN POWDER
POTASSIUM
NITRATE OR SALT
PETER
75% Charcoal is the fuel,
potassium nitrate the
oxygen supplier gives
the mixture more density
and makes it morereadily ignitable
CHARCOAL 15%
SULPHUR 10%
9/13/2013
27
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
28/101
9
/13/2013
28
PROPELLANT
Function: burns to produce large volumes of gases under
pressure.
Shape: sheets of smokeless powder cut into disc, flake or
cylinder shapes.
Alternatively produced as ball and flattened ball smokelesspowder (Winchester) which may be coated with silver-black
graphite.
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
29/101
CHAINOF EVENTS
9
/13/2013
29
StrikePrimer ignites
Powder charge burns
Temperature increases
Gases produce
Chamber pressure increases
Bullet/Shot charge moves
Exit of bulletChamber pressure zero
Gases produced:Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen, Sulphurated hydrogen
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
30/101
CHAMBER PRESSURE:-
i- Revolver:- 4 tons
ii- Pistol:- 6 tons
iii- Rifle:- 20 tonsBullet:- Forward & rotational motion.
Shot charge:- Forward movement.
9
/13/2013
30
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
31/101
EXTERIOR BALLISTICS
Interactions of forces:-
1- Forces originating from the bullet motiona- Velocity:- i- Forward (Rate of motion (speed) andDirection
ii- Rotational :- It varies (length of the barrel)
b- Velocity of bullet at the muzzle end for various firearms:-
i- Revolver:- 600 900ft/sec
ii- Pistol:- 1200 1440 ft/seciii- Rifle:- 2000 3500 ft/sec
2- Forces present in the medium
a- Air resistance
b- Gravity
9
/13/2013
31
Knowledge of forces acting on the shot while it
leaves the barrel till it reaches the target
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
32/101
FORCESORIGINATINGFROMTHEPROJECTILE
Velocity
1- Speed or Rate of motion also called Muzzle velocity
Rifles upto 2000 3000 fps
2- Direction of motion
Forward motion
Also Rotational motion in bullets due to rifling
9
/13/2013
32
Bullets do
not typically
follow a
straight line
to the target.
Rotational
forces are in
effect that
keep the
bullet off a
straight axisof flight.
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
33/101
DEFINITIONS
YAW: is the oscillation around the long axix of the
bullet.
PRECESSION: is a circular Yawabout the center of
gravity which takes the shape of a decreasing spiral.
Nutation: is a rotational movement in a small circle
which forms a rosette pattern like a spinning top.
9
/13/2013
33
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
34/101
FORCESPRESENTINTHEMEDIUM
1- Air resistance
2- Gravity
9
/13/2013
34
Curved path
Projectile
Follows..
Trajectory of bullet
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
35/101
TRAJECTORYOFBULLET 9/13/2013
35
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
36/101
TAILWAGPHENOMENON9
/13/2013
36
Inside barrel projectile is
supported by walls of
barrel Entering new medium
loses balance due to air
resistance & force of
gravity
Regains balance aftercovering some distance
Tail wag
Initialtail wag
Intermediatetail wag
Terminaltail wag
B
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
37/101
BULLETTHROUGHAGLASS
9
/13/2013
37
Intermediate tail
wag
Secondarymisslies
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
38/101
TAILWAGPHENOMENONFORPISTOLUPTO 60 YARDS
FOR RIFLEUPTO 200 YARDS9
/13/2013
38
Medicolegal importance
Atypical firearm entry wounds
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
39/101
TERMINAL/ WOUND BALLISTICS
Mechanism of Wound productionLaceration & Crushing
Shock waves
Cavitation
9
/13/2013
39
It is concerned with the effect of bullet on thetarget at impact until it comes to rest
by Naseeb R. Awan
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
40/101
MECHANISMOF WOUNDPRODUCTION
INTERACTION BETWEEN THE FIRE BLAST AND PART STRUCK
FORCES IN THE FIRE - BLAST FACTORS IN THE PART STRUCK
PROJECTILE & ITS RESISTANCE OF THE TISSUE
DIAMETER DEPENDS UPON
SHAPE NATURE,
WEIGHT DESIGN &
RIGIDITY DENSITY
TERMINAL VELOCITY (MOSTIMPORTANT)
9
/13/2013
40
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
41/101
LACERATION & CRUSHING
Velocity is a key factor to the overall extent of gunshot
wounds
According to the kinetic energy equation: (kinetic
energy = mass/ 2 x velocity2) Doubling the mass
doubles the energy, however doubling the velocity
quadruples the energy Therefore a small-caliber bullet traveling at high speed
can produce a more extensive injury than larger caliber
bullet traveling at a lower speed
9
/13/2013
41
Kinematicsis the science of motion. In gunshot
wounds we can use this to determine the extent of
injury from the forces and motion involved.
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
42/101
LACERATION & CRUSHING
.PRODUCEDBYTHEDIRECTEFFECTOFBULLET
1- Missile velocity2- Shape & composition of
projectile orFrontal area
3- Angle of impact
4- Flight characteristics asyaw, tumbling & nutation
5- Fragmentation
9
/13/2013
42
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
43/101
LOW VELOCITY BULLET
a. PART STRUCK SOFT AND ELASTIC TISSUE
b. PUSHES & STRETCHES THE SKIN & UNDERLYING
TISSUE.
c. ROTATES UPON ITS AXIS
d. INDENTATION IS PRODUCEDe. PERFORATION OF TISSUE
f. PASSAGE OF BULLET
g. ENERGY OF BULLET RADIATES LATERALLY
h. DAMAGE PROPORTIONATE TO DIAMETER OF THEBULLET
i. REPRESENTED BY THE PATH OR TRACK OF THE
BULLET
9
/13/2013
43
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
44/101
SHOCK WAVESI. DEMONSTRATED ONLY BY HIGH SPEED PHOTOGRAPHY OR
RADIOGRAPHY
II. IN HIGH VELOCITY BULLETS
III. TRACK IS FORCED THROGH SOLID TISSUE.
IV. MEDIUM IS COMPRESSED BY MISSILE IN FRONT OF IT
V. REGION OF COMPRESSION MOVES AS A SHOCK WAVE OF SPHERICALFORM, 4800/FT/S
VI. CHANGES OF PRESSURE REMAINS FOR A MILLIONTH OF SECONDBUT MAY REACH PEAK VALUE UP TO 100atm.
VII. So damage at a distance from wound track.
VIII. Solid tissues like Muscle, Liver, Spleen & brain are very susceptible.
IX. Conducted particularly well along tube filled tubes like arteries &veins to cause damage at a distance.
9
/13/2013
44
Shock Waves
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
45/101
SHOCKWAVES. GENERATEDINTISSUESBYHIGHVELOCITYBULLETS, GREATERTHAN
2,500/FEET/SEC
Last only for 15-25 microsecondsAre of high energy creating over 1000 lbs/sq inch of
pressure
Easily rupture gas filled organs
9
/13/2013
45
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
46/101
TYPESOFCAVITATIONS
Temporary:
Permanent: High velocity missile
Main destructive effect
Release of energy, absorbed by the local tissue. Accelerated violently forwards & outwards.
Continue to move even after passage of missile.
A large cavity is produced (temporary cavity), reaches its maximumsize, have sub atmospheric pressure, collapses in a pulsatilefashion and permanent cavity left.
Soft tissues pulped, blood vessels disrupted and bone may beshattered.
9
/13/2013
46
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
47/101
CAVITATION. CREATEDBYTHEBULLETSTRAVELLINGATSPEEDS > 1000 FT/SEC
Size & shape depends upon the capacity of the bullet todisperse energy in the surrounding tissues
Tissues are moved forward & laterally away from the bullet Continues for few milliseconds after bullet has passed
This creates a cavity which sucks air in from entry & exit wounds &may be 30 times more in diameter than that of the bullet
Permanent cavity if exists is much smaller than the temporary
cavity
9
/13/2013
47
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
48/101
M/L IMPORTANCE
OF
WOUND
BALLISTICS
1- Recognition ofEntry & Exit wounds
2- Distance of Fire
3- Direction of fire & Wound track
4- Relative position of weapon/victim & angle of fire
5- Cause of death
6- Manner of death7- Identification of firearm
9
/13/2013
48
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
49/101
COMPONENTSOFA SHOTRESPONSIBLEFORDAMAGE
1- Shot charge(bullet/pallet)
2- Flame & heat3- Hot explosive gases
4- Smoke
5- Wad
6- Unburnt gun powder7- Grease from the
barrel
9
/13/2013
49
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
50/101
All these elements affect:
I. Body of the victim as signs & symptoms
II. At the place of strike or target produce
characteristic changes
Result is FIREARM WOUND COMPLEX
This has two components:
a. Wounding component
b. Non wounding component
9
/13/2013
50
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
51/101
Firearm-wound complex has four parts:
1. An entry wound
2. A track with its direction
3. Place of resting of bullet or shot-charge.4. Exit wound
9
/13/2013
51
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
52/101
ENTRY WOUND
SINGLE HOLE:
SIZE : depends upon skin elasticity, tail wag,
explosive blast effect of gases so either
proportionate to the diameter of the bullet,
SMALLER or much larger having STELLATESHAPE.
SHAPE: depending upon the angle of firearm with
the target. Circular, Oval, Elliptical, An elongated
furrow. Inverted margins. May be everted.
Collar of abrasion: shape depends upon the
angle of firearm with the target.
9
/13/2013
52
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
53/101
9
/13/2013
53
FLAME
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
54/101
9
/13/2013
54
BURNING
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
55/101
9
/13/2013
55
SMOKE
Carbon particles
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
56/101
9
/13/2013
56
scattered on
HISTOLOGICAL
examination
Burning: Few inches in case of
revolver & one foot in case of a
Blackening: Absent after one
yard
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
57/101
9/13/2013
57
revolver & one foot in case of a
Shotgun
by Naseeb R. Awan
yard
by Naseeb R. Awan
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
58/101
TATTOOING(DUETOUNBURNTGUNPOWDERPARTICLES)
9/13/2013
58
Beyond 2 yards,
tattooing is not
present
by Naseeb R.
Awan
They pierce under the superficial skin layers causing
punctate abrasions of smaller blood vessels under the
skin
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
59/101
9/13/2013
59
Un-burnt gunpowder particles pierce the skin while blood
stains are washable
Tattooing Blood stains
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
60/101
SKINCHANGES
Gross splitting: Seen in high velocity bullet & contact
wound of low velocity bullet . Tail wag/range/gas
penetration. BLOW BACK PHENOMENON
Bruising (at or around entry wound due to general tissue
trauma) MUZZLE IMPRINT, Gases of the blast ballooning
& bruising the skin/Vital reaction / Inflammatory reaction
Collar of Abrasion: Rub raw of the superficial skin layers
while projectile enters the skin. More prominent in rifledfirearms due to their rotational motion
9/13/2013
60
T il h
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
61/101
9/13/2013
61
5/3/200440
Tail wag phenomenon
Medicolegal importance
Atypical firearm entry wounds
Bigger entry wound
X-shaped entry wound
Key hole orslit like entry wound
Multiple entry wounds of a single fire
Skin deep / muscle deep wounds
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
62/101
9/13/2013
62
Key hole or Slit like entry wound
C ll Of Ab i
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
63/101
9/13/2013
63
Collar Of Abrasion
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
64/101
CLASSIFICATIONOF FIREARM RIFLED ENTRY
WOUNDDEPENDINGUPONDISTANCE/RANGE 9/13/2013
64
Contact entrywound
Hard/Firmcontact
Loosecontact
Close range:Up to 2 yards
Near distant:within six
inches
Intermediaterange:
1 2 yards
Distant range:Beyond 2
yards
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
65/101
FEATURES OF ENTRY WOUND9/13/2013
65
Lacks exterior residue.
No imprints of components offire externally.
Burning, blackening, tattooingpresent in the track or interiorof wound or on interveningbone.
Pinkish discoloration due toCoHb.
Muzzle imprint on closeexamination.
Entry wound of variable shapewith collar of abrasion.
As small gap betweenbody & weapon.
Circular defect.
Collar of abrasion.
Circular soot material.
Tattooing, blackening &burning in the woundtrack.
No scorching, singeingexternally.
Muzzle imprint.
Pinkish discoloration
FIRM CONTACT LOOSE CONTACT
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
66/101
FEATURES OF ENTRY WOUND9/
13/2013
66
Barrel is held close to
skin in the range of
flame & smoke. Central defect.
Collar of abrasion.
Inverted margins.
Burning, scorching,
singeing, blackening &
tattooing present.
Within 1 2 yard
Hole
Collar of abrasion.
Inverted margins.
Blackening fades.
Tattooing present
NEAR DISTANT INTERMEDIATE RANGE
FEATURES OF ENTRY WOUND
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
67/101
FEATURES OF ENTRY WOUND:
DISTANT RANGE
Hole
Collar of Abrasion
Grease collar inside the collar of abrasion also
called smudge ring
No flame & gun powder effect.
9/
13/2013
67
CONTACT FIREARM ENTRY WOUND
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
68/101
CONTACT FIREARM ENTRYWOUND
Muzzle of firearm pressed hard on some hard bony
area as forehead / skull
Gases cant enter skull & escape from sides causing
lacerations in the scalp Star shaped projections in scalp
Components of shot present inside skull in the track
9/
13/2013
68
Stellate Firearm wound
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
69/101
CLOSE RANGE FIREARM ENTRYWOUND
Examination of clothes is important
Burning, blackening, tattooingpresent
Collar of abrasionpresent
Grease collar / Dirt collarmay be present
Marginsmay be inverted
Wadmaybe present in the track in case of smooth
bored firearm
9/
13/2013
69
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
70/101
SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE
Construction:chamber primer/powder/wad/shot
Shot types Bird, Buck, Slugs
Pellets Rarely exit
Variable factors
Range
Gauge
Choke
HIGH ENERGY TRANSFER
9/
13/2013
70
Plastic WAD struck with the wall
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
71/101
9/
13/2013
71
FIREARM EXIT WOUND
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
72/101
There may be no exit wound
May be multiple exit wounds of one entry wound due to
Secondary missiles May be large typical exit wound with everted margins
No close range characteristics
Shored exit wound:Collar of abrasion present
9/
13/2013
72
5/1/200425
Bullet through a glass
Intermediate tailwag
Secondarymisslies
Intermediate tailwag
Secondarymisslies
SHOT GUN WOUNDS
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
73/101
SHOTGUNWOUNDS
Contact shotgun wound are most destructive
Bursting rupture of head is rule rather than exception
Skull may be largely fragmented leading to Egg-shell
fractures
Scalp is extensively lacerated
9/
13/2013
73
The unfavorable ballistic shape of shotgun pallets combined
With lack of stabilizing spin, causes a rapid fall-off in velocity &
Thus Kinetic energy by Naseeb R. Awan
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
74/101
9/
13/2013
74Contact Shotgun wound
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
75/101
SHOTGUN ENTRYWOUNDCOMPLEX 9/
13/2013
75
Fanning
phenomenon
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
76/101
9/
13/2013
76
Pallets traveling in a single mass & wad getting behind
Shot gun Firearm wounds
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
77/101
9/
13/2013
77
Entry Wound By contact to 2 ft birdshot
produces a single wound
By 3 ft there will be Rat-hole
type of entry wound
By 4 ft scatteredsatellite
pallet holes
By 10 ft there is great variation
in type of entry wound
The diameter of spread ofpallets on body in inches is
roughly equal to the distance
from muzzle in yards
Wadmay travel upto 6 ft &
may be found in track of injurywithin that distance
Billiard Ball Ricochetting
phenomenon: Important in
giving distance of fire
THIS COOKIE CUTTER TYPE WOUND SHOWS A FEW
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
78/101
THISCOOKIECUTTER TYPEWOUNDSHOWSAFEW
SEPARATEPELLETINJURIESFORMINGASTHEDISTANCEINCREASES. THIS
ISNOTASUICIDE.9/13/2013
78
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
79/101
LOOSECONTACTSHOTGUNWOUNDANDALARGER, MORE
RAGGEDEXITWOUND.9/13/2013
79
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
80/101
BILIARD BALL RICOCHETTINGPHENOMENON
9/13/2013
80
Misguides
distance of fire
I
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
81/101
IMPORTANTDEFINITIONS
Bone of skull is dipoc (has 2 layers).
Table which is struck first by projectile is supported frombelow so has comparatively small circular hole & clean
margins. Table which is 2nd to be struck has no support so has a
bigger irregular hole & beveled margins.
M/L importance Gives direction of fire
9/13/2013
81
Beveling of skull bone
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
82/101
9/13/2013
82Blackening in the track
Beveled margins
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
83/101
IMPORTANTDEFINITIONS
9/13/2013
83
Birdshot
Buckshot
Dustshot
Blankammunition
Dum dumbullets
Size of pallet is 2-9
Pallets larger than size 9
Pallets smaller in size
Only powder no projectile present
Either non-jacketed or partiallyjacketed. They may expand or flatten
on impact thus increasing energydissipation & tissue destruction
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
84/101
IMPORTANTDEFINITIONS
9/13/2013
84
Ballisticcoefficient
Fragmentation
Embolised bullets
Swallowed bullets
Tandem bullets
Ricochetted bullet
Efficiency of a bullet in overcoming air resistance Breaking up of a jacketed bullet through some
bone or non-jacketed bullet through soft tissues
Bullet gains access to blood circulation & carriedaway to distant location
Bullet that enters GI tract & carried away byperistalsis
Bullets remaining in barrel due to defect & thencome out subsequently one after the other
Bullet which deviates from its course by strikingan intermediate object
DU
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
85/101
UM-DUM
BULLET
A hollow point is anexpanding bulletthat hasa pit or hollowed out shapein its tip, generally intendedto cause the bullet toexpand upon entering a
target in order to decreasepenetration and disruptmore tissue as it travelsthrough the target. It is alsoused for controlledpenetration, where over-penetration could causecollateral damage (suchas on an aircraft).
9/13/2013
85
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expanding_bullethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissue_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collateral_damagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collateral_damagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissue_(biology)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expanding_bullet7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
86/101
TANDEMBULLET
Tandem cartridge if used could result in multipleentrance wounds in a single fire.
If the first bullet fails to leave the barrel and is
ejected by the subsequent fired bullets. The bullets
are ejected one before the other and are called astandem bullets.
9/13/2013
86
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
87/101
KENNEDY PHENOMENON
Surgical alteration or suturing of gunshot woundscreates problem. in this situation the evaluation of
the wound whether it was an entrance or exit
wound becomes difficult. This phenomenon is
called as Kennedy phenomenon.
9/1
3/2013
87
BILLIARD BALL RECHOCHETTING
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
88/101
9/1
3/2013
88
BILLIARD BALL RECHOCHETTING
Diagnosing long-range injury based on the pattern of pellet spreadis difficult. When shotgun pellets are tightly clustered or widelyspread out, close-range injury or long-range injury (respectively) isusually suspected. However, in close-range injuries, the billiard-ball effectmay cause considerable pellet spread.16 When thetightly clustered group of shot at close range contacts the skin, the
pellets at the front of the group are slowed. The pellets behindthem in the group strike the pellets in front, with an effect like abilliard-ball break. This causes much more pellet spread in tissuethan would be expected at close range. On radiographs,particularly in trunk wounds, this effect can simulate the pelletspread of a longer-range injury.16 Correlate the physical
examination with the radiologic findings. If there is only oneentrance wound hole, it is a close-range injury. If the distribution ofthe multiple skin entrance wounds is the same as the pellet spreadon the radiograph, the injury occurred at longer range.
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
89/101
9/1
3/2013
89
GUN SHOT WOUNDINMOUTH
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
90/101
9/1
3/2013
90
Gun Shot Wound in mouth
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
91/101
9/1
3/2013
91
Multiple Firearm
Wounds
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
92/101
9/1
3/2013
92
SHOTGUNPELLETS 1
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
93/101
9/1
3/2013
93
SHOTGUNPELLETS 2
GUN SHOT WOUND ON HEAD
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
94/101
9/1
3/2013
94
GUN SHOT WOUNDON HEAD
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
95/101
9/1
3/2013
95
GROIN GUN SHOT WOUND
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
96/101
9/1
3/2013
96
GROIN GUN SHOT WOUND
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
97/101
9/1
3/2013
97
GUN SHOT WOUNDONHAND
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
98/101
9/1
3/2013
98
GUN SHOT WOUNDONHANDINX-RAY
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
99/101
9/1
3/2013
99
Gun Shot Wound on shoulder
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
100/101
9/1
3/2013
100
Firearm wounds are one type of wounds you may never
get hold on. Even 1000th case of your professional lifewill bring another chapter of mystery & new learning
7/29/2019 Firearm Wounds (1)
101/101
9/1
3/2013
101
THANKYOU !