Search

Four cases of homicide, in which silenced firearms were used, are reported and supplemented by data from experimental investigations regarding wound features, marks, traces, and ballistic behavior. Wound features are largely determined by the construction of the silencer. In one case, even a muzzle imprint was produced by a silenced weapon fired at contact range. In general, silencers are likely to result in a decrease in bullet energy and accelerated energy release in the target (tissue). In terms of wound morphology, silencers produced a reduction in or even a lack of the contact ring (ring of dirt). In close-range and contact wounds, any features indicative of shots fired at close range were missing (such as soot deposit and powder tattooing). It is also worth mentioning that biological matter may get into the silencer in shots fired at contact range.

Recently marketed PMC (Pan Metal Corporation) Ultramag tubular hollow point ammunition is uniquely constructed with a two-part projectile composed of a tubular copper bullet and a Teflon wad. A fatal gunshot wound with this ammunition is described. A unique radiographic pattern and the results of test firing are also presented.

The Accelerator® cartridge is unique in that the bullet has no barrel markings after it is fired. The plastic sabot does have barrel markings and can produce distinctive wound patterns. The .30-′06 Accelerator cartridge was fired into poster board, gelatin blocks, and pigs. The results of these studies are presented.

Multibullet cartridges are used to create the salvo effect with increased hit probability and wounding capacity. These cartridges are not new; however, until recently, their usage has been confined to the military. The following report is the first published case concerning homemade duplex (double-bullet) cartridges manufactured in the Greater Miami area. When gunshot wound entrance and exit sites do not add up, multibullet cartridges must be considered.

This study of Winchester Silvertip® hollow point ammunition measures bullet velocity from production handguns and evaluates performance in ordnance gelation. Depth of penetration, size and shape of the temporary cavity, degree of radial fissuring along the missile track, and bullet expansion after impact are compared to nonhollow point ammunition of similar caliber. It is clear that hollow point bullets of this type create greater disturbance upon impact with tissue simulant than common commercial solid round nose ammunition as measured by temporary cavity size and radial fissuring. However, for all types of handgun ammunition there is a poor predictive correlation of radial fissuring with instantaneous temporary cavity size. Hollow point performance can be modified by various factors such as angle of incidence relative to target surface and prior deformation of the bullet tip. The elemental composition of bullet jackets and cores is not uniform throughout this product line.

This is a study of commercially available .22 caliber rimfire ammunition manufactured to explode on bullet impact. Factors considered were bullet velocity, angle of impact, missile deformation, and depth of penetration and cavitation in ordnance gelatin. Microscopic, radiographic, and high speed motion picture photographic techniques were employed. This study found that the angle of impact was critical for detonation of the bullet.

Great controversy has surrounded the replacement of the 7.62-mm caliber by the reduced 5.56-mm caliber as the standard U.S. military rifle. Although its relevance to human wounding can be debated, the terminal ballistics of military small arms in ordnance gelatin remains a convenient medium for comparative testing. In the present study, 7- by 10- by 24-in. (18 by 25 by 61 cm) blocks of 20% ordnance gelatin were fired upon from a range of 19 ft (6 m) under high-speed cinemagraphic surveillance. The tendency of the M193 5.56-mm full metal jacket projectile to break up in soft tissue simulant was confirmed as a fundamental difference from the 7.62-mm M80 NATO ball.