NCJ Number
183379
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 3 Dated: May 1999 Pages: 568-576
Date Published
May 1999
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article describes various aspects of gunshot wounds in the skeleton.
Abstract
Included are descriptions of entrance and exit patterns, angle and path, range of fire and velocity, and caliber of bullet, based on examination of the skeletal remains of 21 victims. In most cases there was documentation of the investigation, autopsy and victim’s identity. Each case was analyzed in terms of wound location, shape, size and exit/entry surface area ratio, beveling, and direction of shooting. Skull entry wounds were most often round or oval. Unusual shapes were observed in bones such as the mandible and mastoid process, but were also found to be triangular, nearly triangular, or irregular. The expected internal beveling was obvious in all but one skull. External beveling of an entry wound was observed in only one case (parietal bone). Exit wounds were roughly round, oval, square, and rectangular, and were always more irregular than entry wounds. Understanding gunshot wound characteristics is important for interpreting distance, velocity, direction, and sometimes caliber size, and helps in reconstructing events surrounding death by gunshot. Tables, figures, references