Wound morphology in contact shots from blank cartridge handguns: a study on composite models

doi:10.1007/s00414-017-1650-2

. 2017 Sep;131(5):1333-1339.

doi: 10.1007/s00414-017-1650-2. Epub 2017 Jul 17.

Wound morphology in contact shots from blank cartridge handguns: a study on composite models

Rebecca Pircher¹, Markus Große Perdekamp², Annette Thierauf-Emberger², Lena Kramer², Stefan Pollak², Dorothee Geisenberger²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 9, 79104, Freiburg, Germany. rebecca.pircher@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
² Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 9, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.

PMID: 28717964
DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1650-2

Wound morphology in contact shots from blank cartridge handguns: a study on composite models

Rebecca Pircher et al. Int J Legal Med. 2017 Sep.

. 2017 Sep;131(5):1333-1339.

doi: 10.1007/s00414-017-1650-2. Epub 2017 Jul 17.

Authors

Rebecca Pircher¹, Markus Große Perdekamp², Annette Thierauf-Emberger², Lena Kramer², Stefan Pollak², Dorothee Geisenberger²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 9, 79104, Freiburg, Germany. rebecca.pircher@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
² Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 9, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.

PMID: 28717964
DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1650-2

Abstract

It is a well-known fact that blank cartridge guns can cause penetrating and even fatal injuries when discharged in contact or at very close ranges. In these cases, the gas jet perforates the skin leaving an entrance wound similar to that from a conventional gun. In order to investigate the wound morphology in contact shots from blank firearms, test shots were fired at composite models of pig skin and gelatin blocks using three different calibre 9-mm blank cartridge handguns (two pistols and one revolver) and two types of ammunition. It turned out that the penetrating gas jet produced roundish skin defects resembling bullet entrance holes. Small skin particles from the perforation site were dispersed in the underlying simulant where radiating cracks containing greyish gunshot residues indicated the original expansion of the inrushing combustion gases. Apart from the size of the permanent entrance hole in the skin and the final position of the displaced tissue particles, the penetration depth of the gas jet was determined. Under the specified conditions of the test shots, the zone of mechanical destruction within the simulant was 2.2 to 6.1 cm in length, which illustrates the injuring potential of contact shots inflicted with blank cartridge handguns.

Keywords: Alarm gun; Blank cartridge; Composite model; Contact shot; Gas jet; Penetration depth; Skin hole; Starter’s pistol.

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References

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1. Forensic Sci Int. 1999 Apr 26;101(2):151-9 - PubMed
1. Int J Legal Med. 1991;104(4):235-8 - PubMed
1. Forensic Sci Int. 2015 Dec;257:341-6 - PubMed
1. Int J Legal Med. 2005 Jul;119(4):217-22 - PubMed

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[1] Hum Exp Toxicol. 1996 Jun;15(6):461-5 - PubMed

[2] Hum Exp Toxicol. 1996 Jun;15(6):461-5 - PubMed

[3] Forensic Sci Int. 1999 Apr 26;101(2):151-9 - PubMed

[4] Forensic Sci Int. 1999 Apr 26;101(2):151-9 - PubMed

[5] Int J Legal Med. 1991;104(4):235-8 - PubMed

[6] Int J Legal Med. 1991;104(4):235-8 - PubMed

[7] Forensic Sci Int. 2015 Dec;257:341-6 - PubMed

[8] Forensic Sci Int. 2015 Dec;257:341-6 - PubMed

[9] Int J Legal Med. 2005 Jul;119(4):217-22 - PubMed

[10] Int J Legal Med. 2005 Jul;119(4):217-22 - PubMed

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Wound morphology in contact shots from blank cartridge handguns: a study on composite models

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Wound morphology in contact shots from blank cartridge handguns: a study on composite models

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Cited by 3 articles

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