GUNSHOT WOUNDSGUNSHOT WOUNDS

FIREARM INJURIES

FIREARMSFIREARMS

Smoothbore ie Shotguns ---fire mass of pellets

Rifled weapons ie Handguns & Rifles---fire bullets

Airguns—pistols & rifles---fire projectiles

SHOTGUNSSHOTGUNS

Calibre size = Bore or Guage Common Guages are 12 20 16 .410Historically,the number of balls (of barrel

diameter) to equal a pound of leadException is the .410,which means it has a

barrel diameter of 0.410 inches

SHOTGUNSSHOTGUNS

Single-BarrelledDouble-Barrelled—may be Side-by-Side or

Over-and-UnderRepeating----single-barrelled,Pump-Action

or Semi-Automatic

SHOTGUNSSHOTGUNS

BARREL LENGTHCommenest lengths28 inches30 inches32 inchesLegal Minimum is 24 inchesSawn-Off Shotguns ---- ILLEGAL

SHOTGUNSSHOTGUNS

CHOKE----a constriction over last few inches of the barrel

May be built in and permanent or the gun may come with a selection of screw-in chokes

Choke functions to delay the spread of the pellet pattern

SHOTGUNSSHOTGUNS

CHOKETrue-CylinderImproved choke¼ choke½ choke¾ chokeFull choke

SHOTGUNSSHOTGUNS

AMMUNITION is the CartridgeThe Cartridge contains the lead shot (ie the

pellets) which come in a variety of sizesNumber ConventionLow number = fewer BIG pelletsHigh number = more SMALL pellets6 = common game load

SHOTGUNSSHOTGUNS

What comes out of the gun when it is fired?PELLETSWADSGASFLAMEPOWDER---burnt and unburnt

SHOTGUN WOUNDSSHOTGUN WOUNDS

CONTACT WOUNDSHead ---- EXPLOSIVE InjuryChest and Abdomen --- circular wounds

with blackened and seared marginsMay get a muzzle imprint

SHOTGUN WOUNDSSHOTGUN WOUNDS

< 2 feet ----single wound, ¾ to 1 inch 3 feet----single wound,scalloped margins 4 feet----entrance wound + satellite holes 10 feet----ragged central hole with

numerous pellet holesBeyond 10 feet----pattern of multiple pellet

holes

SHOTGUN WOUNDSSHOTGUN WOUNDS

WADDING< 5-6 feet----goes in the entrance woundBeyond that range , may strike separatelyFelt wadsPlastic wads -----Maltese Cross between 1

to 2 feet

HANDGUNSHANDGUNS

REVOLVERSSEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLSAll fire bulletsVarious Calibres

HANDGUNSHANDGUNS

What does the weapon discharge?Flame--- 1 to 2 inchesGasPowder---burnt and unburntSoot ( Carbon )Vapourised MetalBULLET

HANDGUN WOUNDSHANDGUN WOUNDS

CONTACT WOUNDS----firm,loose,nearINTERMEDIATE RangeDISTANT

HANDGUN WOUNDSHANDGUN WOUNDS

CONTACT WOUNDSBlackened,Seared edgesPossible Muzzle ImprintLoose—ring of sootNear ---broader band of blackened,seared

skin

HANDGUN WOUNDSHANDGUN WOUNDS

CONTACT WOUNDS to the HEADMay get a circular wound with

blackened,seared marginsMay get a wound with a muzzle imprintMay get a Stellate-shaped wound as gases

enter and the thin scalp which is stretched over bone balloons out

Possible back-spatter into weapon

HANDGUN WOUNDSHANDGUN WOUNDS

INTERMEDIATE RANGEPOWDER TATTOOING is the

characteristic featurePowder grains strike the skin causing

punctate abrasionsMultiple punctate reddish-brown to orange-

red abrasionsApproximate range-----1/2 inch to 2-4 feet

HANDGUN WOUNDSHANDGUN WOUNDS

DISTANTRound or Oval wounds with an Abrasion

Ring (usually though not always)

HANDGUN WOUNDSHANDGUN WOUNDS

EXIT WOUNDS Rule of ODDS and EVENS Usually Larger and more Irregular than entry

wounds Often slit-like or stellate N.B.---Shored Exit Wounds---uncommon---have

an abrasion ring due to exit site in contact with ground or wall,or rarely due to tight clothing

GUNSHOT WOUNDSGUNSHOT WOUNDS

Scientific Examination of ClothingTest-Firing of Gun and Ammunition

RIFLE WOUNDSRIFLE WOUNDS

POWERFULFMJ – Bullets ---tend to pass through and

remain UndeformedSemi-jacketed bullets used as Hunting

rounds---jacket peals back and the lead core mushrooms and disintegrates into scores of lead fragments

RIFLE WOUNDSRIFLE WOUNDS

High-Velocity Rifle woundsEnormously powerful and destructiveShock-WaveCavitationTransmission of Energy via Fluid-filled

Structures eg Arteries and Veins to produce additional injury at sites remote from the main track

GUNSHOT WOUNDSGUNSHOT WOUNDS

ACCIDENT? SUICIDE? MURDER? Need to consider the wound,the wound site,range

of discharge,the scene etc. Preservation of Evidence(including fingerprints) GSR (gunshot residue) swabs Clothing Test-Firing