NCJ Number
60037
Journal
Identification News Volume: 29 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 3-10
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
FIREARMS ARE INVOLVED IN ALMOST TWO-THIRDS OF ALL HOMICIDES IN THE UNITED STATES. UNDERSTANDING THE PATTERNS AND INJURIES PRODUCED BY FIREARMS IS THEREFORE, CRUCIAL TO THE DEFENSE IN MANY CRIMINAL TRIALS.
Abstract
GUNSHOT WOUNDS ARE INFLICTED BY RIFLED FIREARMS INCLUDING REVOLVERS, PISTOLS, AND RIFLES. THE PATTERN OF THE GUNSHOT WOUND IS PRODUCED ON THE TARGET AREA BY THE ELEMENTS EJECTED FROM THE GUNBARREL. BESIDES THE BULLET, THESE ELEMENTS INCLUDE OTHER COMPONENTS WITH VARIOUS WEIGHTS AND VELOCITIES, ALL FALLING BEHIND THE VELOCITY OF THE BULLET AND DISSIPATING IN THE AIR WITH THE INCREASE IN RANGE. THESE ELEMENTS ACCORDING TO THE RANGE OF FIRE WILL PRODUCE VARIOUS PATTERNS. THESE INCLUDE NEAR CONTACT GUNSHOT WOUNDS, MEDIUM-RANGE GUNSHOT WOUNDS, AND DISTANT GUNSHOT WOUNDS. ACCURATE DETERMINATION OF RANGE AND DIRECTION OF FIRE DEPENDS ON EVIDENCE OF STIPPLING, CORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF ENTRANCE AND EXIT WOUNDS (NOTICEABLE BY THEIR CHARACTERISTIC SHAPE, CONFUSIONS, POWDER AND SOOT RESIDUE, AND BULLET PROPERTIES), AND DETERMINATION OF THE TYPE OF GUN AND AMMUNITION USED. PITFALLS AND LIMITATIONS IN EVALUATING GUNSHOT WOUNDS, GUNFIRE RESIDUE TESTS, MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION IN THE EVALUATION OF GUNSHOT WOUNDS; AND RIFLE AND SHOTGUN WOUNDS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS ARE DISCUSSED. (MJW)