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Difference between revisions of "Gunshot wounds"
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[[Image:Gunshot_wonud_to_leg.JPG|thumb|right|Gunshot wound to the leg showing entrance and exit. (WC)]] | |||
[[Image:Hofmann Lehrbuch brain gunshot.jpg|thumb|right|Depiction of a gunshot wound of the brain. (WC/National Library of Medicine)]] | |||
This article deals with '''gunshot wounds''', which are seen by (forensic) pathologists in the context of forensic autopsies. | This article deals with '''gunshot wounds''', which are seen by (forensic) pathologists in the context of forensic autopsies. | ||
An introduction to forensic pathology is in the ''[[forensic pathology]]'' article. | An introduction to forensic pathology is in the ''[[forensic pathology]]'' article. | ||
== | ==Bullet accounting== | ||
Number of entrance wounds should equal the number of exit wounds. | Number of entrance wounds should equal the number of exit wounds. | ||
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==Firearm projectiles== | ==Firearm projectiles== | ||
[[Image:260529196 232ebabc57 bBalleIncendiaire.jpg|thumb|200px|X-rays are useful for locating bullets. (WC)]] | |||
===Evidence=== | ===Evidence=== | ||
*Bullets are often good evidence: | *Bullets are often good evidence: | ||
**The calibre (size) and markings from the barrel (on handgun/rifle projectiles) allow it to be matched to the weapon that fired it. | **The calibre (size) and markings from the barrel (on handgun/rifle projectiles) allow it to be matched to the weapon that fired it. | ||
**Thus, all projectiles are recovered from a body... and it is | **Thus, all projectiles are recovered from a body... and it is routine to X-ray all gunshot victims. | ||
===Classification=== | ===Classification=== | ||
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**Bullet ricochets --hits other object before hitting target, gun defective -- bullet's long axis doesn't coincide with its velocity vector. | **Bullet ricochets --hits other object before hitting target, gun defective -- bullet's long axis doesn't coincide with its velocity vector. | ||
***Classically results in a "D-shaped" wound.<ref name=denton/> | ***Classically results in a "D-shaped" wound.<ref name=denton/> | ||
===Images=== | |||
====Abdomen==== | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:Single_gunshot_abdomen.jpg | Entrance wound - abdomen. (WC) | |||
</gallery> | |||
====Ceramic plates (experimental)==== | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image: Experimental gunshot entrance wound - dist to target 0 inch.jpg | Exp. GSW, ent. contact (WC) | |||
Image: Experimental gunshot entrance wound - dist to target 1 inch.jpg | Exp. GSW, ent. 1" (WC) | |||
Image: Experimental gunshot entrance wound - dist to target 3 inch.jpg | Exp. GSW, ent. 3" (WC) | |||
Image: Experimental gunshot entrance wound - dist to target 6 inch.jpg | Exp. GSW, ent. 6" (WC) | |||
Image: Experimental gunshot entrance wound - dist to target 25 inch.jpg | Exp. GSW, ent. 25" (WC) | |||
</gallery> | |||
==Exit wounds== | ==Exit wounds== | ||
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*In skull -- outer table defect typically larger than inner table defect (external beveling). | *In skull -- outer table defect typically larger than inner table defect (external beveling). | ||
===Atypical exit wounds=== | ===Atypical exit wounds=== | ||
"Shored" exit wounds: | "Shored" exit wounds: | ||
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*Supporting surface may lead to abrasion. | *Supporting surface may lead to abrasion. | ||
*May appear to be an entrance wound. | *May appear to be an entrance wound. | ||
===Images=== | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:Gunshot_skull.jpg|Exit wound. (WC) | |||
Image:Experimental gunshot exit wound.jpg |Experimental gunshot exit wound. (WC) | |||
</gallery> | |||
==Special entrance/exit wounds== | ==Special entrance/exit wounds== | ||
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===Indeterminate/Distant=== | ===Indeterminate/Distant=== | ||
:Previously known as '''''distant''''', as this is the pattern seen if a shooter is far from the victim. | :Previously known as '''''distant''''' for non-shotguns, as this is the pattern seen if a shooter is far from the victim. | ||
*No soot. | *No soot. | ||
*No stippling. | *No stippling. | ||
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*Where the bullet strikes, e.g. ascending aorta vs. brain vs. tibia vs. gluteus maximus. | *Where the bullet strikes, e.g. ascending aorta vs. brain vs. tibia vs. gluteus maximus. | ||
*Kinetic energy of the bullet. | *Kinetic energy of the bullet. | ||
**<math>E_k=\frac{1}{2}mv^2</math> | **<math>E_k=\frac{1}{2}mv^2</math> | ||
***Velocity is more important -- as it is squared (duh). | ***Velocity is more important -- as it is squared (duh). | ||
*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> | *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> | ||