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A bystander claimed to have been shot by a police officer, and CT scans were used to match qualitative and quantitative aspects of the unremoved bullet with police issued 9 mm Luger ammunition. CT scan methodology proved a valid approach for the measurement of bullets based on calculated measurement capability and correlation with "gold standard" physical measurement by vernier caliper. Measurements regarding length and base diameter, as well as length/diameter ratio, were insufficient to unambiguously identify a specific caliber, or a bullet of specific mass within a caliber class. It was, however, possible to exclude a bullet of specific design and mass with well‐characterized precision and accuracy values under selected CT scan conditions. A 9 mm Luger bullet (115 gr FMJ RN) was excluded from involvement in a shooting based on qualitative bullet shape combined with length, base, and ratio measurements of the bullet in‐situ for the victim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Apulian (South of Italy) territory saw the birth of a criminal organization called Sacra Corona Unita (SCU, United Holy Crown) which transformed the rules of traditional mafia organizations. This work examined 83 victims of the SCU between 1980 and 2000. The bodies were mainly of SCU members and in some cases, of police and law enforcement officers and other citizens caught in the crossfire. Some of these were discovered; thanks to the collaboration of “repented” SCU members who became police informers. The condition of the bodies varied in relation to the date and manner of killing. In some cases anthropometric research methods were necessary. In 73% of the cases, lesions of the head were the only marks left on the body. In conclusion, the existence of some social aspects connected with the symbolisms and membership rites that characterized the origin, evolution, and decline of the SCU is stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the study of the technological innovations for less-lethal kinetic energy munitions used in law enforcement in the U.S. Examinations taken to determine energy per unit area required to penetrate various regions of the body; Used of eight unembalmed postmortem human specimens in the testing experiment; Evaluation on the conducted test results.

Determines the velocity of gunshot residue particles from different sources using high speed stroboscopic photography. Suggestion that the relatively high velocity of these particles may explain the formation of stippling on skin in close proximity to a muzzle discharge; Influence of air currents on particle behavior rates of deceleration.

Describes the use of 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (PDT) as a complexing agent to determine traces of iron which are transferred to the hand upon holding a firearm. Chemical and physical processes involved in the application of PDT to human skin; Suggestion that the stain intensity of the PDT correlates with the amount of iron extracted from the hand and the amounts of iron transferred to the hand depend on the palmar moisture levels.

Describes a method for extraction and analysis of gunpowder residues on double-side adhesive coated stubs, which are used for sampling suspects or their clothing for gunshot residues. Observation of interferences in the analysis by the gas chromatography/thermal energy analyzer of the samples collected from hair; Suggestion that the method enables the analysis of propellant residues on a double-side adhesive coated stub after it was examined for primer residues by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

This study investigates the legal status of modified shotguns in Turkey by examining the cases submitted to the Aydın Regional Criminal Laboratory between January 2006 and August 2008. A total of 351 shotguns used in crimes were examined. These guns were evaluated in respect of their type, size, caliber, fitness for use, and legal classification. Eleven percent of these shotguns had been modified and it was found that 55% of the modified shotguns were classified according to law 6136 and qualified as a pistol and 45% were classified according to law 2521 and qualified as nonstandard shotguns. Within the Turkish criminal justice system, a nonstandard shotgun attracts a less stringent sentence than a pistol. It would therefore appear that this sentencing structure is considered when modifying shotguns in Turkey. This is clearly a loop-hole in the legislation that could perhaps be investigated and closed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]