Introduction of the modern 3d modeling method into the theory and practice of forensic medicine ballistics, caused by gunshot wounds inflicted by firearms with 9mm caliber ammunition.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To explore the capabilities of the modern 3D modeling method for various elements of gunshot wounds caused by 9 mm caliber bullets, intending to integrate these findings into the theory and practice of forensic medicine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research began with a series of experimental shots, during which the morphological features were examined through their 3D spatial reconstruction. The entire series of experimental shots was conducted using an automatic pistol IZH 70-01 equipped with 9.0 mm caliber bullets. The ballistic clay Roma Plastilina No.1, manufactured in the USA, was utilized as a material for conducting standard ballistic tests according to the standards of the NIJ (National Institute of Justice) and HOSDB (Home Office Scientific Development Branch). RESULTS: Results: The research was continued during the performance of forensic examinations involving actual cases of gunshot injuries. The dimensions of individual elements of the wound channel were measured in both experimental and expert cases using conventional measuring tools, as well as after their 3D modeling, utilizing graphic editors such as "Agisoft Photoscan" and "3ds max". CONCLUSION: Conclusions: In the course of creating and studying experimental and expert 3D models, the dimensions of individual morphological elements of the wound channel were recorded with an accuracy that exceeded the results obtained through measurements using traditional measurement methods by ten times.

Evaluation of synthetic clear gelatin as an acceptable surrogate for low-velocity penetrating impacts using the depth of penetration calibration standard.

Ballistic gelatin has been extensively used in ballistics research for decades, but calibration standards were established on limited datasets, and only few studies have attempted to recreate these experiments with biological tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated better biofidelity with 20% ordnance ballistic gelatin, but researchers have discredited the use of synthetic gelatin claiming different behavior than ordnance gelatin. To investigate the use of synthetic clear gelatin as an acceptable surrogate of biological tissue, depth of penetration was compared between low-velocity impacts of various projectiles into porcine tissue (n = 192), post-mortem human subjects (n = 29), and Clear Ballistics synthetic gelatin (n = 39). The predicted depth of penetration of the 0.177" steel BB (38.1 mm) was consistent with the manufacturer's calibration standard (31.75-44.45 mm) and within calibration bounds of recently proposed empirical equations. Compared to impacts in biological tissue, synthetic gelatin demonstrated the least variability in depth of penetration (R2 = 0.96). Using ANCOVA, velocity was a significant covariate (p < 0.001), and there were no significant differences in normalized depth of penetration over density between porcine tissue, post-mortem human subjects, and 20% synthetic gelatin (p = 0.22). Ultimately, this study confirmed the use of 20% synthetic gelatin as an acceptable tissue simulant using standard calibration methods for use in future ballistic studies.

Deaths due to tired bullet injuries: Evaluation from medical, legal, and social perspectives.

BACKGROUND: In Türkiye, as in other parts of the world, there is a rising trend in individual armament and firearm violence, resembling an epidemic. When fired into the air, bullets eventually lose the initial speed with which they left the barrel and begin to accelerate downwards under the influence of gravity as they fall to the ground. At this point, these projectiles are referred to as 'tired bullets,' which cause serious injuries and fatalities. This study evaluates autopsy cases of deaths due to tired bullet injuries. We aimed to raise social awareness and contribute to the literature by exploring the forensic, legal, and social dimensions of tired bullet injuries. METHODS: From 2013 to 2022, 695 forensic autopsies of gunshot wounds were reviewed at the Trabzon Forensic Medicine Group Presidency. Nine cases were identified where individuals had undergone autopsies and the cause of death was attributed to tired bullet injuries. The data for the cases included in the study was sourced from our archive records and the UYAP (National Judicial Network Project) system. The second stage involved analyzing reports of falling bullet injuries from local and national newspaper websites. In the third stage, the Supreme Court decisions regarding perpetrators of tired bullet incidents were examined. RESULTS: The study included six male and three female cases, with an average age of 32.5 years. Injuries were predominantly located in the head in seven cases, the eye in one case, and the inguinal region in another. In eight cases, the bullet trajectory was from top to bottom. The incidents predominantly occurred in residential areas. It was observed that all cases received coverage in both national and local media, and campaigns against tired bullet injuries were organized. The perpetrators of these injuries were frequently sentenced for murder with probable intent. CONCLUSION: Tired bullet injuries represent a significant public health issue that necessitates comprehensive preventative measures addressing medical, legal, and social dimensions. There should be national and international campaigns led by the media, involving all public institutions, organizations, and non-governmental organizations to promote individual disarmament, highlight the dangers of firearms, and stress the importance of these initiatives.

The effect of human decomposition on bullet examination.

Most firearm related homicides involve the deceased being forensically examined within a day or two, however, there are times when bodies have been examined and the fired components removed several days or weeks after death, when the body is in an active or advanced state of decomposition. In these cases, ballistic investigation has been found to be complicated due to the damage to the bullets, however the extent of this is not yet known. To date, there have been no studies investigating the effect of human decomposition and the subsequent analysis of bullets lodged in the body in an Australian context. Herein, seven fired copper jacketed bullets were manually inserted into three specific tissue types; lungs, abdomen and leg muscle (twenty-one bullets in total), of human donors in both cool and warm conditions at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER). Bullets were removed every three days for a period of twenty-one days, and each bullet underwent manual microscopic examinations by firearms examiners across Australia. Results have indicated that the bullets corrode quickly in warm conditions, compared to bullets exposed to decomposition in cooler conditions. The results of this study will inform investigators and pathologists of the need to remove and examine fired bullets from decomposed bodies as soon as possible, especially in warm conditions to provide firearms examiners with the best opportunity to link fired bullets to a common source.

The role of PMCT in firearm injuries. Case study.

Background: The use of radiological approaches in forensic investigations is rapidly emerging as an alternative to traditional autopsies. Here, we present the experience of the Sicilian and Calabrian forensic medical departments over the past five years, highlighting the application of PMCT to support autopsies in cases involving gunshot wound victims. Materials and Methods: From January 2020 to March 2024, thirty cadavers who died from gunshot wounds underwent total body PMCT examinations followed by autopsies. The examinations included multi-planar and 3D reconstructions. Data collected for each subject included gender, age, mode of death, type of weapon, number of shots, body sites affected, and presence of retained bullets. A team of two radiologists and two forensic physicians evaluated the images and compared them with the autopsy findings. Conclusion: PMCT and 3D reconstruction enabled evaluation of entry wounds, fracture margins, injury sites, fragments, and anatomical trajectories. The results from PMCT were compared with autopsy findings in terms of entry wounds, wound channels, foreign bodies, organ and skeletal injuries, and causes of death. PMCT showed concordance with autopsy findings in determining the cause of death in all cases. The speed, non-invasiveness, and ability to manipulate and reconstruct data make PMCT an ideal technique for supporting forensic investigations and autopsies. PMCT is highly reliable for accurately identifying lethal wounds and determining the cause of death. It excels at tracking wound paths, distinguishing entrance and exit wounds, locating retained bullets, and detecting fragmentation and dispersion of ballistic components.

Rare case of multiple self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the chest in Poland.

Multiple gunshot suicides are relatively rare and present significant challenges for investigators and forensic pathologists. In such cases, assessing the possibility of more than one shot being fired can be crucial in distinguishing homicide from suicide. We present a rare case of multiple self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the chest with severe injury to the heart and left lung. Both the sudden, unexpected death of the man, the unknown source of the firearm, and the number and nature of the injuries sustained seemed quite unusual. The investigation revealed that the wounds were self-inflicted at close range, and the interval between successive shots (estimated by witnesses at up to 2 min) suggests that even multiple gunshot wounds perforating the heart and lungs may not necessarily cause immediate incapacitation. Forensic investigations in such cases should be multi-faceted and include full autopsy and ballistics expertise, as well as witness testimony and medical history.

A comparison of gelatine surrogates for wound track assessment.

The use of ordnance gelatine has been widespread in the field of ballistics as a simulant for soft tissue when assessing ballistic threats. However, the traditional method of preparing ordnance gelatine is time-consuming and requires precision to ensure that the final mold meets the required specifications. Furthermore, temperature control is necessary post-production, and there are limitations on its usage duration. To address these issues, manufacturers have developed pre-mixed, gelatine-like products that are stable at room temperature and require less preparation time. Nonetheless, it is uncertain whether these new products can perform in the same manner as the gold standard of ordnance gelatine. This study used five types of blocks, including ordnance gelatine (10% and 20%), Clear Ballistics (10% and 20%) and Perma-Gel (10%) and subjected them to 9 mm, 0.380 Auto fired from a universal receiver and a 5.56 × 45 mm ammunition fired by a certified firearms instructor. Delta-V and total energy dissipation were measured after each test using data collected from ballistic chronographs placed in front of and behind each block. High-speed video was recorded, and a cut-down analysis conducted. The findings revealed variations in energy dissipation and fissure formation within the block, with greater energy based on fissure formation observed in the ordnance gelatine. Additionally, the high-speed video showed the occurrence of secondary combustions occurring in the premixed gelatines.

Cranial trauma in handgun executions: Circumferential delamination defect and its relationship with contact/close-range shooting.

Skeletal evidence usually constitutes the only source of information to interpret lesion patterns that help to clarify the circumstances surrounding death. The examination and interpretation of bone trauma are essential to the application and utility of anthropology as a forensic science. When discussing the effect of gunshot wounds in bone, it becomes imperative to differentiate between short and long-distance injuries based on clear, distinct, and observable signs. To contribute to the debate, our focus is directed toward the external analysis of the so-called circumferential delamination defect (CDD) as an observable proxy for close-range shooting (≤30 cm) and contact gunshot wounds in the skull. In the context of known extrajudicial killings, in which the perpetrators used short 9 × 19 FMJ ammunition in a close-range shooting, instances of CDD have been documented. Empirical evidence reinforcing the causal relationship between CDD and close-range shootings is presented. Elements' characteristics of firearm residues were also found in remains buried for up to 30 years. Primarily, this work shows that the concentrations of gunshot residues (Pb, Ba, and Sb) resemble those observed in fresh corpses with the same gunshot wound (GSW). Moreover, the correlation observed between CDD and gunshot residues, where the likelihood of CDD increases the closer to the head and the more perpendicular the shot angle is, reinforces CDD as a pivotal discriminatory factor in the skeletal evidence of short-range or contact shot. This research contributes to the field of forensic anthropology by providing fundamental insights into the etiology of CDD and its practical application.

Assessment of injuries patterns produced by a 9mm P.A.K "rubber ball" blank firing weapon: porcine model.

The use of less lethal weapons aims to mitigate civilian casualties caused by firearm use. However, due to numerous cases in which these weapons caused serious injuries, even lethal injuries, both legislation and the forensic field are interested in characterizing and regulating them better. In the forensic field, there is a lack of strong research about injury patterns of these weapons which makes it difficult to identify the type of weapon employed. In this study, the main objective was to characterize the injury pattern produced by the impact of the 9 mm P.A.K. projectile. A porcine model was used. Four different distances were studied: firm contact, 10 cm, 60 cm and 110 cm, using 3 of the more representative anatomical sites: the head, the hind leg and the ribs. The average measurement of the entrance orifice varied according to the anatomical site, being 6.67 mm wide and 6.25 mm long in the thorax, 7.3 mm wide and 8.8 mm long in the hind legs, and 7.62 mm wide and 7.54 mm long in the head. The variation in width and length measurements was not found to be directly related to the shot distance. The gunshot residues had similar characteristics to those of conventional lead projectiles, however there was more unburned powder deposit near the wounds, with a less dense soot and more dense powder tattoo. Depth varied widely regardless of tissue and firing distance, although loss of penetrating power and injury is observed as one moves away from the target.

Skin simulants for wound ballistic investigation - an experimental study.

Gunshot wound analysis is an important part of medicolegal practice, in both autopsies and examinations of living persons. Well-established and studied simulants exist that exhibit both physical and biomechanical properties of soft-tissues and bones. Current research literature on ballistic wounds focuses on the biomechanical properties of skin simulants. In our extensive experimental study, we tested numerous synthetic and natural materials, regarding their macromorphological bullet impact characteristics, and compared these data with those from real bullet injuries gathered from medicolegal practice. Over thirty varieties of potential skin simulants were shot perpendicularly, and at 45°, at a distance of 10 m and 0.3 m, using full metal jacket (FMJ) projectiles (9 × 19 mm Luger). Simulants included ballistic gelatine at various concentrations, dental silicones with several degrees of hardness, alginates, latex, chamois leather, suture trainers for medical training purposes and various material compound models. In addition to complying to the general requirements for a synthetic simulant, results obtained from dental silicones shore hardness 70 (backed with 20 % by mass gelatine), were especially highly comparable to gunshot entry wounds in skin from real cases. Based on these results, particularly focusing on the macroscopically detectable criteria, we can strongly recommend dental silicone shore hardness 70 as a skin simulant for wound ballistics examinations.

Musket ball injuries to the head - Experimental CT-study.

A smoothbore musket firing a round ball was the primary weapon of the infantry from the 16th to mid 19th century. Musket ball injuries are thus relatively common when archaeological remains of battlefield victims from that period are studied. Several experimental studies have focused on terminal ballistics of a musket ball. In addition, there is a good supply of historical records directly from the battlefield and military hospitals. Studies and historical records have both concluded that head injuries are among the most lethal types of musket ball damage. In this study we utilized modern day research methods, including Synbone ballistic skull phantoms and computed tomography (CT) imaging, to examine more closely the head injuries and tissue damage caused by a musket ball. We were especially interested to observe how different musket ball velocities and shooting distances would influence bone and soft tissue defects. Our experiments clearly demonstrated that musket ball was a lethal projectile even from a longer distance. Already at low velocities, the musket ball perforated through the skull. Velocity also influenced the appearance of entrance and exit wounds. CT imaging provided us with a three-dimensional view of the wound channel, skull fragments and lead remnants inside the skull phantom. According to our findings, musket ball velocity influenced defect size and cavitation. In addition, velocity influenced the size and distribution of skull fragments and lead remnants in the wound channel. Combining all these aspects could aid us in studies of archaeological musket ball victims. In particular, they could help us to estimate the shooting distance and shed light on the potential course of events in the battlefield.

New alginate-gelatine method for casting of staining inside firearm barrels.

Contact shots to the head often leave behind biological traces inside firearm barrels, a phenomenon of great forensic interest. Until now, the visualization and preservation of these traces presented a significant challenge, lacking a reliable method. This study addresses this gap by searching for a suitable method to extract the traces within a casting. Using alginate or gelatine as suitable materials, the results were hampered by serious adhesion issues and their extraction out of the firearm barrel was impeded. Finally, the combination of 11% gelatine with 1% alginate, introduced into the barrel around a 'central spine', succeeded to consistently produce replicable castings. Experimental contact shots displayed a distinct staining gradient from the muzzle to the rear of the barrel, as revealed through endoscopy and proved in the macroscopic casting. The technique proved effective for various common handgun barrels and successfully preserved blood and gunshot residue (GSR) patterns within the barrel. This method offers the dual benefits of visually mapping staining patterns and securing localized samples for targeted molecular genetic analysis in forensic investigations.

Children's toys no longer: a porcine model study of the lethality of modern air rifles.

AIMS: We observed modern spring-loaded air rifles reaching velocities similar to small-bore rifles, raising concerns about their potential lethality. After encountering two life-threatening thoracic injuries in our practice, we conducted a study to assess the injuries that a commonly available air rifle could cause in a porcine cadaver model. METHODS: We conducted shooting experiments from 5 and 10 metres away using a .22 calibre spring-loaded airgun, firing five shots into the anterolateral chest on the left side at both distances. Additionally, we repeated the experiment with ten shots into 10% ballistics gel behind an explanted chest wall to evaluate chest wall penetration reliability. RESULTS: Out of the ten combined shots, six resulted in lethal or potentially lethal injuries, including multiple cardiac injuries. Moreover, we observed chest wall penetration in 9 out of 10 shots, with an average penetration depth of 106mm. Non-life-threatening injuries appeared to be influenced by shot location rather than an inability to penetrate the chest wall. CONCLUSION: Our study raises significant concerns about the potential lethality of unrestricted air rifles in New Zealand. With muzzle velocities comparable to small-bore rifles, these firearms should be reconsidered in terms of regulation and possibly restricted to gun license holders.

Review of non-penetrating ballistic testing techniques for protection assessment: From biological data to numerical and physical surrogates.

Human surrogates have long been employed to simulate human behaviour, beginning in the automotive industry and now widely used throughout the safety framework to estimate human injury during and after accidents and impacts. In the specific context of blunt ballistics, various methods have been developed to investigate wound injuries, including tissue simulants such as clays or gelatine ballistic, physical dummies and numerical models. However, all of these surrogate entities must be biofidelic, meaning they must accurately represent the biological properties of the human body. This paper provides an overview of physical and numerical surrogates developed specifically for blunt ballistic impacts, including their properties, use and applications. The focus is on their ability to accurately represent the human body in the context of blunt ballistic impact.

Ballistic long bone fracture pattern: an experimental study.

When dealing with badly preserved cadavers or skeletal human remains, the assessment of death circumstances remains challenging. When forensic evidence cannot be taken from the skin and soft tissue, the information may only be deduced from more resistant elements such as bone. Compared to cranial gunshot injuries, reliable data on ballistic long bone trauma remains scarce. This study aims to define ballistic fracture characteristics in human long bones. The shaft of 16 femurs and 13 humeri from body donors was perpendicularly shot with a 9-mm Luger full metal jacket bullet at an impact velocity of 360 m/s from a distance of 2 m. Some bones were embedded in Clear Ballistics Gel®, and some were shot without soft tissue simulant in order to better visualise the fracture propagation on the high-speed camera. The fractures were examined macroscopically and compared between the sample groups. We consistently found comminuted fractures with a stellate pattern. Fracture details were classified into entrance, exit and general characteristics. For some traits, we detected different occurrence values in the group comparison. The results indicate that some of the traits depend on bone properties such as shaft diameter, bone length and cortical thickness. The presence of ballistic gel also influenced some fracture traits, emphasising the relevance of soft tissue simulant in osseous gunshot experiments. This study revealed new insights in the detailed fracture pattern of human long bones. These may serve as guidelines for the identification and reconstruction of gunshot trauma in human long bones.

Two Bullet Wounds, One Bullet: The Atypical Fragmentation of a .223 Caliber Ammunition.

ABSTRACT: As the fifth leading cause of death in individuals aged 1 to 64 years in the United States, forensic pathologists frequently encounter firearm-related deaths and are trained to approach these cases by utilizing information from the investigation, radiographs, and autopsy findings to discern the logical sequence of events that lead to death. We also emphasize the importance and utility of various factors such as bullet wound characteristics, type of ammunition used, and type of tissues involved in a forensic pathologist's determination of events and in medicolegal investigations. However, the unusual presentations of firearm-related deaths can cause confusion and even frustration when there are contradicting circumstances or findings at work. We present the case of a 61-year-old woman with an atypical pattern of 2 distinct irregular entrance gunshot wounds determined to be caused by a single projectile.

Extracorporeal bullet trajectory determination from scanned phantoms with bullet defects.

Shots with two different calibres (0.32 Auto and 9 mm Luger) were fired through phantoms that simulated human torsos, mounted on undercarriages with witness panels. The perforated phantoms were scanned with computed tomography (Siemens) using 80 kV and 140 kV and a slice thickness of 1 mm. The intracorporeal trajectories in the phantoms were compared to the known extracorporeal trajectories, derived from the perforations in witness panels. The discrepancy between the intracorporeal and extracorporeal trajectories, denoted as the absolute angle, was calculated for the trajectories before (front) and after (rear) the phantoms. Mean absolute angles at the front were lower than at the rear (2.27° vs. 4.54°) and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The results of the study imply that the line between the entrance and the exit wound in a scanned victim can be extended to the extracorporeal bullet trajectory leading towards the entrance wound. The absolute angles presented in this study give an impression of the expected errors with the two calibres. This can be helpful in shooting investigations to assess the position of the shooter from entrance and exit wounds in a scanned victim.

Effects of kinetic energy and firearm-to-target distance on fracture behavior in flat bones.

This research implements a fractographic approach to investigate the relationships between kinetic energy, firearm-to-target distance, and various aspects of fracture behavior in gunshot trauma. Gunshot experiments were performed on pig scapulae (n = 30) using three firearms generating different muzzle (initial) kinetic energies, including a 0.32 pistol (103 J), 0.40 pistol (492 J), and 0.308 rifle (2275 J). Specimens were shot from two distances: 10 cm (n = 15) and 110 cm (n = 15). Features evaluated in fractographic analysis such as cone cracks, radiating cracks, crack branching points, and circumferential cracks could be easily identified and measured in flat bones and allowed for statistical comparison of crack propagation behavior under different impact conditions. Higher-energy bullets produced more radiating cracks, more crack branching points, and longer fracture lengths than lower-energy bullets. Distance had no significant effect on fracture morphology at the distances tested. That quantitative measures of crack propagation varied with energy affirms that kinetic energy transfer is important in determining the nature and extent of fracture in gunshot wounds and suggests it may be possible to infer relatively high- versus relatively low-energy transfer using these features. Ranges obtained with the three firearms exhibited considerable overlap, however, indicating that other variables such as bullet caliber, mass, and construction influence the efficiency of energy transfer from bullet to bone. Therefore, fracture morphology cannot be used to identify a specific firearm or to directly reconstruct the muzzle (initial) kinetic energy in forensic cases.