Difference between revisions of "Gunshot wounds"
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An introduction to forensic pathology is in the ''[[forensic pathology]]'' article. | An introduction to forensic pathology is in the ''[[forensic pathology]]'' article. | ||
==Accounting== | |||
Number of entrance wound should equal the number of exit wounds -- if it doesn't there are: | Number of entrance wound should equal the number of exit wounds -- if it doesn't there are: | ||
*Bullets in the body, | *Bullets in the body, | ||
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*** ... anywhere the sun don't shine. | *** ... anywhere the sun don't shine. | ||
==Firearm projectiles== | |||
Two broad groups: | Two broad groups: | ||
*Shotgun projectiles. | *Shotgun projectiles. | ||
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**Thus, all projectiles are recovered from a body... and it is routinue to X-ray all gunshot victims. | **Thus, all projectiles are recovered from a body... and it is routinue to X-ray all gunshot victims. | ||
==Entrance wounds== | |||
Characteristics:<ref name=denton>{{cite journal |author=Denton JS, Segovia A, Filkins JA |title=Practical pathology of gunshot wounds |journal=Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. |volume=130 |issue=9 |pages=1283?9 |year=2006 |month=September |pmid=16948512 |doi= |url=http://journals.allenpress.com/jrnlserv/?request=get-abstract&issn=0003-9985&volume=130&page=1283}}</ref> | Characteristics:<ref name=denton>{{cite journal |author=Denton JS, Segovia A, Filkins JA |title=Practical pathology of gunshot wounds |journal=Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. |volume=130 |issue=9 |pages=1283?9 |year=2006 |month=September |pmid=16948512 |doi= |url=http://journals.allenpress.com/jrnlserv/?request=get-abstract&issn=0003-9985&volume=130&page=1283}}</ref> | ||
*Circular/round defect --especially if the projectile strikes at a right angle to the surface. | *Circular/round defect --especially if the projectile strikes at a right angle to the surface. | ||
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***Classically results in a "D-shaped" wound.<ref name=denton/> | ***Classically results in a "D-shaped" wound.<ref name=denton/> | ||
==Exit wounds== | |||
Characteristics: | Characteristics: | ||
* | *Usually bigger than entrance wounds. | ||
*Morphologic shape -- variable. | *Morphologic shape -- variable. | ||
**Round, stellate, ovoid. | **Round, stellate, ovoid. | ||
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**May appear to be an entrance wound. | **May appear to be an entrance wound. | ||
==Special entrance/exit wounds== | |||
*Keyed wounds. | *Keyed wounds. | ||
**Combination entrance/exit wounds -- result from a bullet grazing the victim. | **Combination entrance/exit wounds -- result from a bullet grazing the victim. | ||
==Distance of shooter== | |||
Contact: | Contact: | ||
*Muzzle impression. | *Muzzle impression. | ||
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*Absence of soot & stippling does '''not exclude''' near range -- may be assoc. with clothing or intermediate target separated from the victim post-injury. | *Absence of soot & stippling does '''not exclude''' near range -- may be assoc. with clothing or intermediate target separated from the victim post-injury. | ||
==Injury severity due to GSWs== | |||
The damage of a projectile depends on: | The damage of a projectile depends on: | ||
*Where the bullet strike, e.g. ascending aorta vs. brain vs. tibia vs. gluteus maximus. | *Where the bullet strike, e.g. ascending aorta vs. brain vs. tibia vs. gluteus maximus. | ||
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**Ek=1/2*m*v^2. | **Ek=1/2*m*v^2. | ||
***Velocity is more important -- as it is squared (duh). | ***Velocity is more important -- as it is squared (duh). | ||
*Cavitation effect.<ref> | *Cavitation effect; temporary cavity formation.<ref name=pmid19644779>{{cite journal |author=Maiden N |title=Ballistics reviews: mechanisms of bullet wound trauma |journal=Forensic Sci Med Pathol |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=204–9 |year=2009 |pmid=19644779 |doi=10.1007/s12024-009-9096-6 |url=}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||