Upon a Failure to Equal Entry and Exit Wounds: A Possible Case of Tandem Bullets in View of the Literature

• NCJ Number: 241253
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 57 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2012 Pages: 1129-1133
• Author(s): Gokhan Ersoy, M.D.; Ahmet Selcuk Gurler, M.D.; Mehmet Ozbay, M.D.
• Date Published: July 2012
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Case Study
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The researchers of this study discussed the possibilities in cases that show inequalities between entry and exit wounds, in light of relevant literature.

Abstract

Forensic medicine specialists take account of the projectiles remaining in the body when determining whether there are an equal number of entry and exit wounds. The absence of projectiles should suggest blank cartridges, a single exit wound despite several firings and bullet embolization, whereas the presence of more projectiles than expected may indicate tandem projectiles and multiple projectiles entering through the same hole. Radiological examination of the whole body, follow-up of the bullet trajectories, examination of the clothes, and examination of the gun and projectiles play a key role in solving difficult cases. Researchers review such situations based on a case of tandem bullets. Two 7.65-mm bullets created lethal wounds entering through a 32-year-old victim's neck followed the same trajectory to a certain point and diverted. The researchers discussed the possibilities in cases that show inequalities between entry and exit wounds, in light of relevant literature. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.