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Firearm injuries are a preventable epidemic in the USA. Extremities are commonly affected in gunshot injuries. Such injuries may be complex with concomitant osseous, soft tissue, and neurovascular components. The maximum wounding potential of a projectile is determined by its kinetic energy and the proportion of the kinetic energy that is transmitted to the target. Accurate assessment of ballistic injuries is dependent on utilizing the principles of wound ballistics, accurate bullet count, and ballistic trajectory analysis. The goals of this article are to review wound ballistics and the imaging evaluation of extremity civilian firearm injuries in the adult population, with emphasis on ballistic trajectory analysis, specific ballistic fracture patterns, and diffuse, secondary soft tissue ballistic injuries.

Violence related injuries and deaths mostly caused by firearms are a major problem throughout the world. Understanding the factors that control the extent of hard-soft tissue wound patterns using computer imaging techniques, numerical methods, and machine learning algorithms may help physicians to diagnose and treat those injuries more properly. Here, we investigate the use of computational results coupled with the pattern recognition algorithms to develop an approach for forensic applications. Initially, computer tomography (CT) images of the patient whose leg was shot by a 9 × 19 parabellum bullet are used to construct the FE models of that patient’s femoral bone and the surrounding soft tissues. Then, Hounsfield units-based material properties are assigned to elements of the bone. To simulate the full range of loading conditions encountered in ballistic events, a constitutive model that captures the strain-rate dependent response is implemented. The entrance pathway vector of the bullet is directed in accordance with the patient’s wound and the simulations are deployed for the cases having various inlet velocities such as 150, 200, 250, 300, and 350 m/s. Once the FE results for each case are obtained, they are processed with supervised machine learning algorithms to classify the wound and inlet velocity correspondence. The results demonstrate that they can be diagnosed with a percent accuracy of 97.3, 97.5, and 98.3 for the decision tree (DT), k-nearest neighbors (kNN) and support vector machine (SVM) classifier, respectively. This approach may provide a useful framework in classifying the wound type, predicting the bullet impact velocity and its firing distance.

1) evaluation of the frequency of occurrence of traces and injuries on hands of persons firing firearms, 2) detailed description of types of traces and injuries as mentioned above, 3) detailed evaluation of the mechanism of their arising in respect to types of firearms and ammunition, and the way of holding firearms during shooting.The material consisted of 8 cases in which traces or injuries were found on the upper limbs of the person firing the shot. A total of 217 firearms, including 68 pneumatic firearms, were tested during the period under investigation, with approximately 1100 sample test shots.Traces and injuries were only revealed in about 5% of all shots fired from a particular type of firearm. They were not found in the case of pneumatic firearms. The lesions took the form of singeing, gunpowder tattooing, and various shapes of epidermal abrasions and superficial wounds caused by moving elements of firearms (lock, hammer). Some of them reflected the design of the moving parts of the firearms.In criminal and forensic medical practice, detailed knowledge of the type and mechanism of traces and injuries on the shooter's hands may have significant evidential value in cases concerning the use of firearms. The results of this analysis confirm the need for further study and observation in this area.1) ocena częstości występowania śladów i obrażeń na rękach osoby oddającej strzał z broni palnej, 2) szczegółowy opis rodzaju takich śladów i obrażeń, 3) szczegółowa ocena mechanizmu ich powstania w odniesieniu do rodzaju broni i amunicji oraz sposobu trzymania broni w chwili strzału.Przeanalizowano 8 przypadków, w których na kończynach górnych osoby oddającej strzał stwierdzono ślady lub obrażenia. W okresie objętym badaniem przetestowano łącznie 217 egzemplarzy broni, w tym 68 egzemplarzy broni pneumatycznej, oddając ok. 1100 strzałów próbnych.Ślady i obrażenia ujawniono jedynie w ok. 5% strzałów oddanych z danego modelu broni palnej. Nie stwierdzono ich w przypadku broni pneumatycznej. Zmiany te miały postać osmaleń, tatuażu prochowego oraz różnokształtnych otarć naskórka i powierzchownych ran powstałych od poruszających się elementów broni (zamka, kurka). Niektóre z nich odwzorowywały budowę ruchomych części broni.W praktyce kryminalistycznej i sądowo-lekarskiej szczegółowa wiedza na temat rodzaju i mechanizmu powstania śladów i obrażeń na rękach strzelca może mieć istotną wartość dowodową w sprawie dotyczącej użycia broni palnej. Wyniki niniejszej analizy potwierdzają konieczność prowadzenia dalszych badań i obserwacji w tym zakresie.

Projectile injuries to the face deserve particular attention to evaluate for involvement of critical structures and functional elements and treat the devastating effects on facial aesthetics. Ballistic trauma to the maxillofacial region often has significant soft tissue and bony defects, creating a greater challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. The main goals of treatment of projectile injuries to the face are decreasing the amount of contaminants and nonviable tissue at the site, ensuring functionality, and restoring aesthetic appearance. There exists a lack of robust research on the subject. Soft tissue injuries from high-velocity projectiles have changed the perspective on treating acute injuries to the face and neck. Injuries encountered during both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom give the author pause to reflect upon a different wounding pattern than that encountered in stateside trauma centers. Given the dissemination of high-velocity weaponry by enemy combatants such as the improvised explosive device, mortar round, and high-velocity rifles, a higher incidence of facial wounds has been reported. The mechanism of injury and a stepwise approach for surgical repair are discussed incorporating advanced trauma life support principles and a reconstructive ladder of repair.

Molecular ballistics combines molecular biological, forensic ballistic, and wound ballistic insights and approaches in the description, collection, objective investigation, and contextualization of the complex patterns of biological evidence that are generated by gunshots at biological targets. Setting out in 2010 with two seminal publications proving the principle that DNA from backspatter collected from inside surfaces of firearms can be retreived and successfully be analyzed, molecular ballistics covered a lot of ground until today. In this review, 10 years later, we begin with a comprehensive description and brief history of the field and lay out its intersections with other forensic disciplines like wound ballistics, forensic molecular biology, blood pattern analysis, and crime scene investigation. In an application guide section, we aim to raise consciousness to backspatter traces and the inside surfaces of firearms as sources of forensic evidence. Covering crime scene practical as well as forensic genetic aspects, we introduce operational requirements and lay out possible procedures, including forensic RNA analysis, when searching for, collecting, analyzing, and contextualizing such trace material. We discuss the intricacies and rationales of ballistic model building, employing different tissue, skin, and bone simulants and the advantages of the “triple-contrast” method in molecular ballistics and give advice on how to stage experimental shootings in molecular ballistic research. Finally, we take a look at future applications and prospects of molecular ballistics.

From time to time, severe or fatal injuries caused by small caliber air rifle projectiles are seen. In forensic sciences, the theoretical wounding potential of these weapons and projectiles is widely known. Usually, shots against the skull were reported and, in these cases, penetrating the eyes or thin bone layers of the temporal region. Amongst a huge number of different projectiles available for air guns, sub-caliber 4.4-mm (.173) caliber steel ball projectiles were used in an unusual suicide case. This case led to fundamental questions concerning wound ballistics. An 82-year-old man shot once against his right temporal region and twice into his mouth with a 4.5-mm (.177) caliber air rifle. Because of the exceptionally deep penetration of the base of the skull and the use of spherical-shaped sub-caliber air rifle projectiles, terminal ballistic features were analyzed and compared to results published in forensic literature. Test shots using the same weapon and similar projectiles were fired into ballistic gelatin to measure and calculate basic wound ballistic variables of cal. 4.4-mm (.173) steel balls. In comparison, further test shots with cal. 4.5-mm (.177) steel balls BB (ball bearing), flat-headed and pointed air rifle pellets ("diabolos") were carried out. The theoretical penetration depth in solid bone was calculated with 36.4 mm, and test shots in gelatin from hard contact produced an on-average wound track of 120 mm underlining the potential wounding effect. Furthermore, spherical projectiles could roll back and forth within the barrel, and an air cushion between projectile and breechblock can reduce muzzle velocity by more than half, explaining the retained missile in the temporal region.

This paper, as the third of the series, is devoted to gauge ammunition, which may be a problem in ballistic opinions. The paper reviews existing cartridges of the type used in smoothbore weapons (bullet cartridges, non-penetrating, compressed powder, flash-bang, signal, adapter-type, and training cartridges). The paper also presents homemade special cases of gauge ammunition, as well as ammunition used for "peculiar" purposes. The second part of the paper discusses other uses of specialty gauge ammunition, specifically its use as mortar ammunition, propelling charges, pyrotechnic tools, and to start combustion engines.Niniejsza praca – trzecia z cyklu – została poświęcona amunicji wagomiarowej, która może być problematyczna w opiniowaniu balistycznym. Dokonano przeglądu istniejących nabojów, które mają zastosowanie w broni gładkolufowej (niepenetrujące, kulowe, z pociskami proszkowymi, dźwiękowo-błyskowe, sygnałowe, wkładkowe, szkolne). Przedstawiono również szczególne przypadki amunicji o kalibrze wagomiarowym wykonywanej we własnym zakresie oraz takiej, która znalazła „osobliwe" zastosowanie. W drugiej części tego opracowania omówiono inne sposoby wykorzystania wagomiarowej amunicji specjalnej, m.in. w amunicji moździerzowej, ładunkach miotających, narzędziach pirotechnicznych oraz przy uruchamianiu silników spalinowych.

Gun violence is a global phenomenon with regional variation in frequency and severity. Handguns are often used in violent deaths such as suicides and homicides. Hence, ballistic trauma is a critical subject of forensic investigations. Trauma patterns are fundamental evidence for the reconstruction of the incident and the determination of the manner of death. This study investigated the differences in trauma patterns with a series of experiments using six different calibers (.22 LR, .38 Special, .380 ACP, 9 x 19 mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP) and four different bullet types. Synbone® spheres (polyurethane bone proxies) were used for close range (30 cm) simulated executions. The polyurethane spheres constitute an excellent proxy for human crania at the macroscopic level as suggested by other studies. The results showed that the radius of the entrance wound is positively correlated (Pearson’s correlation coefficient R=0.846, p

Amongst hundreds of different projectiles for air guns available on the market, hollow-point air gun pellets are of special interest. These pellets are characterized by a tip or a hollowed-out shape in their tip which, when fired, makes the projectiles expand to an increased diameter upon entering the target medium. This results in an increase in release of energy which, in turn, has the potential to cause more serious injuries than non-hollow-point projectiles. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, reliable data on the terminal ballistic features of hollow-point air gun projectiles compared to standard diabolo pellets have not yet been published in the forensic literature. The terminal ballistic performance (energy-dependent expansion and penetration) of four different types of .177 caliber hollow-point pellets discharged at kinetic energy levels from approximately 3 J up to 30 J into water, ordnance gelatin, and ordnance gelatin covered with natural chamois as a skin simulant was the subject of this investigation. Energy-dependent expansion of the tested hollow-point pellets was observed after being shot into all investigated target media. While some hollow-point pellets require a minimum kinetic energy of approximately 10 J for sufficient expansion, there are also hollow-point pellets which expand at kinetic energy levels of less than 5 J. The ratio of expansion (RE, calculated by the cross-sectional area (A) after impact divided by the cross-sectional area (A 0) of the undeformed pellet) of hollow-point air gun pellets reached values up of to 2.2. The extent of expansion relates to the kinetic energy of the projectile with a peak for pellet expansion at the 15 to 20 J range. To conclude, this work demonstrates that the hollow-point principle, i.e., the design-related enlargement of the projectiles’ frontal area upon impact into a medium, does work in air guns as claimed by the manufacturers.

Ballistics is the study of a projectiles motion and can be broken down into four stages: internal, intermediate, external and terminal ballistics. The study of the effects a projectile has on a living tissue is referred to as wound ballistics and falls within terminal ballistics. To understand the effects a projectile has on living tissues the mechanisms of wounding need to be understood. These include the permanent and temporary cavities, energy, yawing, tumbling and fragmenting. Much ballistics research has been conducted including using cadavers, animal models and simulants such as ballistics ordnance gelatine. Further research is being conducted into developing anatomical, 3D, experimental and computational models. However, these models need to accurately represent the human body and its heterogeneous nature which involves understanding the biomechanical properties of the different tissues and organs. Further research is needed to accurately represent the human tissues with simulants and is slowly being conducted.

This article reports the results of the analysis of the literature publications illustrating the current state of forensic medical expertise of gunshot injuries formed as a consequence of the interaction of the projectile with the obstacle. Also presented are the results of the experimental studies in this field and the prospects for their further development. The completeness of the solution of the topical problems of forensic medical ballistics is estimated. Taken together, the literature data and the results of the authors' original investigations provided the objective grounds for carrying out the experimental studies of gunshot injuries resulting from ricocheting bullets and shotgun pellets depending on the conditions and circumstances of the shot.Изучили и провели анализ данных литературы о современном состоянии судебно-медицинской экспертизы огнестрельных повреждений, образовавшихся в результате взаимодействия снаряда с преградой, а также результатов экспериментальных исследований в данной области и актуальности дальнейшего изучения указанной разновидности огнестрельной травмы. Определили степень решенности актуальных вопросов судебно-медицинской баллистики. На основании результатов исследований, в том числе собственных, выявили объективные основания для проведения экспериментальных исследований огнестрельных повреждений, образовавшихся в результате рикошета пули и дроби в зависимости от условий и обстоятельств выстрела.

The wound ballistics literature contains several misconceptions about the physical effects of penetrating projectiles in tissue and tissue simulants. These can adversely affect the proper management of gunshot injuries, particularly in view of the ongoing threat of terrorist and criminal acts using assault rifles against civilians. The understanding of the wounding effects by military rifle bullets can be founded on the concept of energy transfer to the wound as applied to high-energy missile trauma. A substantial component of high-energy transfer in assault rifle injuries is manifested by the dynamic phenomenon of temporary cavitation, which is extensively reviewed with respect to its impact on the wound production and the associated controversy surrounding its consequences in soft tissue wounds. Part of this controversy emanates from misinterpretation of experimental data regarding the magnitude of the temporary cavity induced by high-velocity projectiles and the different conceptions of the tissue response to cavitation. The interaction between the projectile and tissue can lead to tumbling and possibly to deformation and fragmentation of the bullet, all of which strongly influence the energy transfer characteristics affecting both the temporary cavitation and the size of the permanent wound channel. Awareness of these effects can enhance perception of clinical and radiological findings suggestive of the wounding mechanism by various projectiles. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Review/therapeutic, level V.

The objective of this study was to investigate the terminal ballistics of police shootings in which the bullets went through any motor vehicle structure before fatally wounding the occupants. 6 cases that occurred in Porto district between 1998 and 2013 were studied. The firearms used were 7.65 mm (n = 1) or 9 mm (n = 3) calibre semi-automatic pistols and 9 mm calibre submachine guns (n = 2); the bullets were full metal jacket type. The metal jacket of the collected projectiles was totally or partially destroyed in 3 cases. It exhibited a deformed structure in all cases. The trajectories of the bullets in the vehicles were always more or less linear, even when initial impact was at an oblique angle. The entry holes in the victims' bodies were larger or much larger in size than the calibre of the bullets. They were located, with the exception of one of the cases, in the left half of the body. The trajectories in the victims' bodies were from front to back, in one case, and from back to front in all others. Exit wounds were only found in two cases. Death occurred immediately after the victim was shot only in one case, despite a vital structure has been hit in all cases. The cases studied support the idea that the use of firearms against vehicles with the sole intention of immobilisation entails uncontrollable danger to the lives of the occupants, and especially when done by police forces not specifically trained for that purpose. Therefore, such use of firearms should be avoided.

The purpose of the work is to determine the advisability of using a skin-muscle flap as an imitator of a human body under a dense cotton target when modeling gunshot injuries resulting from ricochet of a bullet and buckshot when fired from a smooth-bore weapon through clothing. We conducted a ballistic experiment on the formation of gunshot injuries of dense cotton targets themselves, as well as with the underlying skin-muscle flap, formed when a 12-gauge hunting rifle is shot and the subsequent ricochet of bullets and buckshot. As a result of a comprehensive study, the absence of the effect of the underlying skin-muscle flap on the average values of most parameters of gunshot injuries of non-biological targets (Определение целесообразности использования кожно-мышечного лоскута в качестве имитатора тела человека под бязевой мишенью при моделировании огнестрельных повреждений, образующихся в результате рикошета пули и картечи при выстреле из гладкоствольного оружия через одежду. Провели баллистический эксперимент по формированию огнестрельных повреждений собственно бязевых мишеней, а также с подлежащим кожно-мышечным лоскутом, образующихся при выстреле из охотничьего ружья 12-го калибра и последующем рикошете пули и картечи. В результате комплексного исследования установили отсутствие влияния подлежащего кожно-мышечного лоскута на средние значения большинства параметров огнестрельных повреждений небиологических мишеней (

Blocks of gelatine are used in both lethality and survivability studies for broadly the same reason, i.e. comparison of ammunition effects using a material that it is assumed represents (some part of) the human body. The gelatine is used to visualise the temporary and permanent wound profiles; elements of which are recognised as providing a reasonable approximation to wounding in humans. One set of researchers aim to improve the lethality of the projectile, and the other to understand the effects of the projectile on the body to improve survivability. Research areas that use gelatine blocks are diverse and include ammunition designers, the medical and forensics communities and designers of ballistic protective equipment (including body armour). This paper aims to provide an overarching review of the use of gelatine for wound ballistics studies; it is not intended to provide an extensive review of wound ballistics as that already exists, e.g. Legal Med 23:21–29, 2016. Key messages are that test variables, projectile type (bullet, fragmentation), impact site on the body and intermediate layers (e.g. clothing, personal protective equipment (PPE)) can affect the resulting wound profiles.

Purpose: Ferromagnetic bullets can move in air or gelatin in magnetic resonance (MR) units. According to our experience, ferromagnetic bullets do not always present consistent movement. We examined factors affecting ferromagnetic projectile movement in a 1.5T and a 3T MR unit, focusing in this study on the steel-jacketed Swiss ordnance ammunition 7.5mm GP11 Suisse. Methods: Five 7.5mm GP11 Suisse bullets were embedded horizontally and vertically in 10% ordnance gelatin phantoms. Before and after exposing the bullets to 1.5T (Siemens) and 3T (Philips) MR units each bullet's position was documented by a CT scan. In a second phase, the magnetic polarization of the bullets in relation to the MR units was measured by a dry magnetic portable compass (Suunto). Results: Our results showed that the displacement of the bullets increased when subjected to a stronger magnetic field (max. Movement 1.5T: 24.4mm vs. 3T: 101.5mm) and that the position, i.e. orientation of the bullet toward the gantry, strongly influenced its mobility (horizontally embedded projectiles showed poor movement, vertically placed ones strong movement). One of the bullets presented a 180° rotation in the 3T MR unit. Magnetization and changing of the polarization of these ferromagnetic bullets is possible when subjected to MR units. Conclusion: In conclusion, the location of a bullet, and its orientation toward the gantry must be taken into account when assessing the risk of performing an MR examination on a gunshot victim in clinical and in forensic cases.

Based on its intrinsic mass and velocity, a bullet has an upper limit of wounding potential. Actual wound severity is a function of the bullet construction and trajectory, as well as the properties of the tissues traversed. Interpreting physicians must evaluate the bullet trajectory and describe patterns of injury resulting from the effect of energy transfer from the projectile into living tissue. A basic understanding of firearms, projectiles, and wound ballistics can help the interpreting physicians in conceptualizing these injuries and interpreting these cases.

Hunting shot are 1.2-10 mm diameter balls, usually made of lead alloys, forming a cluster projectile used in smoothbore hunting shotguns. Shot may also be used in pistol and revolver ammunition, in which it can constitute structural element of the projectile. Shot pellets may also be made of other materials and have other shapes. The aim of this paper is to aggregate information on the topic available from a number of different sources. It is hoped that such information will be useful for forensic ballistics experts. Historical development of pellets and their manufacturing technology from the 15th century is presented.Śrut myśliwski to kulki o średnicy 1,2–10 mm wykonane zwykle ze stopów ołowiu, które stanowią pocisk mnogi w gładkolufowej myśliwskiej broni palnej. Ładunek śrutu może znajdować się także w amunicji pistoletowej lub rewolwerowej, w której może stanowić element konstrukcyjny pocisków. Śrucina może być również wykonana z innych materiałów i przybierać inne kształty. Celem pracy było zebranie rozproszonych informacji na ten temat, bardzo przydatnych m.in. dla specjalistów zajmujących się balistyką sądową. Przedstawiono zarys historyczny rozwoju śrutu oraz technologię jego produkcji, począwszy od XV wieku.

The objective of this work was to determine the reasons and to find the ways to prevent common mistakes in using conceptual and terminology framework in forensic medical ballistics. Basic research and dissertation papers, practice guidelines and textbooks, educational learning materials, as well as conceptual and terminology frameworks of the regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation had been analyzed. The study outcomes make it possible for a forensic medical expert to use basic definitions and terms of forensic medical ballistics in his/her practice methodologically correctly and in a well-argued manner, to reduce dramatically or completely exclude a possibility of expert's mistakes, to formulate reliable and sound conclusions upon the fact and conditions of a firearm use and upon a concrete mechanism of a gunshot wound formation in general.Цель работы - выявление причин и установление путей предотвращения часто встречающихся ошибок при использовании понятийного и терминологического аппарата в судебно-медицинской баллистике. Проанализированы фундаментальные научные и диссертационные работы, практические руководства и учебники, учебно-методические публикации, а также понятийный и терминологический аппарат нормативных правовых актов Российской Федерации. Результаты исследования позволят судебно-медицинскому эксперту методологически правильно и аргументированно использовать в практической деятельности основные понятия и термины судебно-медицинской баллистики, значительно снизить или полностью исключить вероятность экспертных ошибок, сформулировать достоверные и обоснованные выводы о факте и условиях применения огнестрельного оружия и о конкретном механизме формирования огнестрельной травмы в целом.

To study the question whether and how the size and position of the temporary cavity influence the morphology and especially the size of a bullet exit wound, test shots were fired to composite models consisting of gelatine and pig soft tissue covered with skin (at the exit site). The dimensions of the composite model were determined such that the exit planes were located either at the level of the narrow channel or within the temporary cavity or behind it. The chronological sequence of wound formation and its relation to the current position of the bullet were documented by means of a high-speed camera. Test shots were fired from a distance of 10 m using 5.56 × 45 mm cartridges with full metal-jacketed pointed bullets (v 0 ∼ 912 m/s, E 0 ∼ 1,663 J). The study proved that the extension and position of the temporary wound cavity was decisive for the size of the exit wound: An exit plane within the cavity resulted in particularly large skin lesions, whereas the wound diameters were much smaller if the exit plane was located in front or behind the cavity. The exit hole reaches its maximum size only after the bullet has left the target synchronous to the staggered expansion of the temporary cavity.

Projectile injury represents an estimated 14% of reported animal cruelty cases in the United States. Cases involving projectiles are complicated by gross similarities to other common types of injury, including bite wounds and motor vehicle injuries, by weapons and ammunition not commonly recognized or understood by veterinary medical professionals, and by required expertise beyond that employed in routine postmortem examination. This review describes the common types of projectile injuries encountered within the United States, as well as firearms and ammunition associated with this form of injury. The 3 stages of ballistics—internal, external, and terminal—and wounding capacity are discussed. A general understanding of firearms, ammunition, and ballistics is necessary before pursuing forensic projectile cases. The forensic necropsy is described, including gunshot wound examination, projectile trajectories, different imaging procedures, collection and storage of projectile evidence, and potential advanced techniques for gunpowder analysis. This review presents aspects of projectile injury investigation that must be considered in tandem with standard postmortem practices and procedures to ensure reliable conclusions are reached for medicolegal as well as diagnostic purposes.

The objective of the present study was to improve the method for the calculation and graphical sighting with the use of the modern program products for three-dimensional visualization.Цель исследования - усовершенствование метода расчетно-графического визирования с помощью современных программных продуктов трехмерной визуализации.

In firearm examiners’ and forensic specialists’ casework as well as in air gun proof testing, reliable measurement of the weapon’s muzzle velocity is indispensable. While there are standardized and generally accepted procedures for testing the performance of air guns, the method of seating the diabolo pellets deeper into the breech of break barrel spring-piston air guns has not found its way into standardized test procedures. The influence of pellet seating on the external ballistic parameters was investigated using ten different break barrel spring-piston air guns. Test shots were performed with the diabolo pellets seated 2 mm deeper into the breech using a pellet seater. The results were then compared to reference shots with conventionally loaded diabolo pellets. Projectile velocity was measured with a high-precision redundant ballistic speed measurement system. In eight out of ten weapons, the muzzle energy increased significantly when the pellet seater was used. The average increase in kinetic energy was 31 % (range 9–96 %). To conclude, seating the pellet even slightly deeper into the breech of spring-piston air guns might significantly alter the muzzle energy. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that this effect is taken into account when accurate and reliable measurements of air gun muzzle velocity are necessary.

Although air weapons are considerably lower in power than other firearms, there is increasing concern that serious injuries can result from their misuse. The present study was therefore carried out to improve understanding of the terminal ballistic behaviour of air rifle pellets. Pellets were fired into ballistic gel under a variety of conditions. The pellets penetrated further than anticipated from their low cross-sectional density, and Bloom number was not necessarily a good guide to gel behaviour. Pellet penetration into the gel decreased with increasing gel concentration, and appeared to be linear at higher concentrations. Pointed pellets penetrated up to 50% further than rounded pellets. Power and range affect penetration, but other factors are also important, and power alone is not a simple guide to potential penetration. Test firings were also carried out firing pellets into ballistic gel that contained sections of animal bone. Computed tomography (CT) and visual observation were employed to record the interactions. CT scanning showed potential as a tool for examining pellet damage. The bone appeared to be undamaged, but the pellets were severely deformed on impact. If the pellet strikes the bone at an angle, less energy is absorbed by the impact and the pellet fragments may ricochet and cause further damage in the gel. A tentative model is proposed for estimating the energy absorbed by the impact.

Blank firing weapons are designed only for discharging blank ammunition cartridges. Because they are cost-effective, are easily accessible and can be modified to live firearms plus their unclear legal situation in Turkish Law makes them very popular in Turkey. 2004 through 2008, a total of 1115 modified blank weapons were seized in Turkey. Blank firing weapons are easily modified by owners, making them suitable for discharging live firearm ammunition or modified blank ammunitions. Two common methods are used for modification of blank weapons. After the modification, these weapons can discharge the live ammunition. However, due to compositional durability problems with these types of weapons; the main trend is to use the modified blank ammunitions rather than live firearm ammunition fired from modified blank firing weapons. In this study, two types of modified blank weapons and two types of modified blank cartridges were tested on three different target models. Each of the models' shooting side was coated with 1.3+/-2 mm thickness chrome tanned cowhide as a skin simulant. The first model was only coated with skin simulant. The second model was coated with skin simulant and 100% cotton police shirt. The third model was coated with skin simulant and jean denim. After the literature evaluation four high risky anatomic locations (the neck area; the eyes; the thorax area and inguinal area) were pointed out for the steel and lead projectiles are discharged from the modified blank weapons especially in close range (0-50 cm). The target models were designed for these anatomic locations. For the target models six Transparent Ballistic Candle blocks (TCB) were prepared and divided into two test groups. The first group tests were performed with lead projectiles and second group with steel projectile. The shortest penetration depth (lead projectile: 4.358 cm; steel projectile 8.032 cm) was recorded in the skin simulant and jean denim coated block for both groups. In both groups, the longest penetration depth (lead projectile: 6.434 cm; steel projectile 8.608 cm) was recorded in the only skin simulant coated block. And the penetration depth of skin simulant and 100% cotton police shirt coated model was 5.870 cm for lead projectile; 8.440 cm for steel projectile. According to penetration results, national and international legislations and production standards should be re-evaluated in order to prevent the modification of blank weapons and ammunitions. There are three methods for preventing modification of blank weapons: completely closed barrel structure; intersected restrain pieces application; eccentric barrel structure.

The location of an entrance wound (bullet placement) and the projectile path are the most important factors in causing significant injury or death following a shooting. The head followed by the torso are the most vulnerable areas, with incapacitation resulting from central nervous system (brain or cord) disruption, or massive organ destruction with hemorrhage. Tissue and organ trauma result from the permanent wound cavity caused by direct destruction by the bullet, and also from radial stretching of surrounding tissues causing a temporary wound cavity. The extent of tissue damage is influenced by the type of bullet, its velocity and mass, as well as the physical characteristics of the tissues. The latter includes resistance to strain, physical dimensions of an organ, and the presence or absence of surrounding anatomical constraints. Bullet shape and construction will also affect tissue damage and bullets which display greater yaw will be associated with increased temporary cavitation. Military bullet designs do not include bullets that will expand or flatten as these cause greater wound trauma and are regulated by convention.

Bullets destabilized by ricochet or as the result of an impact with some intervening object experience a yawing to tumbling motion in flight. As a result, they often produce atypical entry wounds, but, as will be demonstrated in this article, this is not a certainty and such bullets can produce normal-appearing entry wounds. It is these wounds that are more difficult to recognize as the consequence of a ricocheted or deflected bullet at the time of autopsy. With few exceptions, ricocheted or deflected bullets also acquire characteristic damage and trace evidence inclusions that often survive the wound production process. A careful inspection of such bullets at the time of recovery will usually reveal such ricochet damage. Moreover, the instability of ricocheted bullets alters their soft-tissue penetration behavior in 2 possible ways. Destabilized full-metal-jacketed bullets will typically penetrate less than direct strikes by the same bullet. Destabilized jacketed hollow-point bullets will often fail to expand and subsequently penetrate more deeply than direct shots with the same bullet.

This paper is based upon the observation that, when a bullet is fired, it creates characteristic markings on the cartridge case and projectile. From these markings, over 30 different features can be distinguished, which, in combination, produce a "fingerprint" for a firearm. By analyzing features within such a set of firearm fingerprints, it will be possible to identify not only the type and model of a firearm, but also each and every individual weapon just as effectively as human fingerprint identification. A new analytic system based on the fast Fourier transform for identifying projectile specimens by the line-scan imaging technique is proposed in this paper. This paper develops optical, photonic, and mechanical techniques to map the topography of the surfaces of forensic projectiles for the purpose of identification. Experiments discussed in this paper are performed on images acquired from 16 various weapons. Experimental results show that the proposed system can be used for firearm identification efficiently and precisely through digitizing and analyzing the fired projectiles specimens.

Currently, optical devices, such as microscopes and CCD cameras, are utilized for identification of bullets and tool marks in the field of forensic science. While these optical methods are easily manageable and effective, they are under great influence of illumination condition. In other words, appearances of striations through these optical devices have possibility to be changed by lighting condition. Besides these appearance-based approaches, we can utilize three dimensional (3D) geometric data of tool marks that are free from lighting condition. In this study, we focused on 3D geometric data of landmark impressions on fired bullets for identification. We obtained the 3D surface data of tool marks by a confocal microscope and reconstructed virtual impressions on a PC monitor from the geometric data. Furthermore, the 3D data are exploited to numerical matching of two surface shapes. We also visualized the difference of two shapes. In order to do this, two surface models are aligned automatically. In this process, pairings of correspondent points on both surfaces are determined. Distance analysis between these pairs leads to a shape comparison. Since comparison results are visualized, they are intuitive and easily perceptive.

Air guns (air pistols and rifles) are already recognized as being potentially lethal. The diabolo pellet has a calibre of .177 (4.5 mm), a 1250 fps velocity, is high energetic, and is most commonly used in such weapons. In the presented case, the victim sustained an air rifle injury to the neck. The pellet passed through the thyroid cartilage, subsequently causing the extensive laryngeal swelling with haematoma around the pellet channel which fatally obstructed the airway. It is estimated microscopically that at least a number of hours must have passed from the injury to the time of death. For this case, a shooting distance was estimated by using experimental shooting values compared to physics formulas for accelerated motion. The case under question has confirmed an applicable legal approach that can be utilized by countries to classify air rifles as being as harmful as other firearms, especially those with high muzzle velocities.

Analogous to use of bullet scratches in forensic science, the authenticity of a digital image can be verified through the noise characteristics of an imaging sensor. In particular, photo-response non-uniformity noise (PRNU) has been used in source camera identification (SCI). However, this technique can be used maliciously to track or inculpate innocent people. To impede such tracking, PRNU noise should be suppressed significantly. Based on this motivation, we propose a counter forensic method to deceive SCI. Experimental results show that it is possible to impede PRNU-based camera identification for various imaging sensors while preserving the image quality. (C)2014 Optical Society of America

In modern medico-legal literature, only a small number of publications deal with fatal injuries from black powder guns. Most of them focus on the morphological features such as intense soot soiling, blast tattooing and burn effects in close-range shots or describe the wound ballistics of spherical lead bullets. Another kind of "unusual" and potentially lethal weapons are handguns destined for firing only blank cartridges such as starter and alarm pistols. The dangerousness of these guns is restricted to very close and contact range shots and results from the gas jet produced by the deflagration of the propellant. The present paper reports on a suicide committed with a muzzle-loading percussion pistol cal. 45. An unusually large stellate entrance wound was located in the precordial region, accompanied by an imprint mark from the ramrod and a faint greenish discoloration (apparently due to the formation of sulfhemoglobin). Autopsy revealed an oversized powder cavity, multiple fractures of the anterior thoracic wall as well as ruptures of the heart, the aorta, the left hepatic lobe and the diaphragm. In total, the zone of mechanical destruction had a diameter of approx. 15 cm. As there was no exit wound and no bullet lodged in the body, the injury was caused exclusively by the inrushing combustion gases of the propellant (black powder) comparable with the gas jet of a blank cartridge gun. In contact shots to ballistic gelatine using the suicide's pistol loaded with black powder but no projectile, the formation of a nearly spherical cavity could be demonstrated by means of a high-speed camera. The extent of the temporary cavity after firing with 5 g of black powder roughly corresponded to the zone of destruction found in the suicide's body.