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01-09-2017 | Original Article

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

Authors: Rebecca Pircher, Markus Große Perdekamp, Annette Thierauf-Emberger, Lena Kramer, Stefan Pollak, Dorothee Geisenberger

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 5/2017

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.

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Title: Wound morphology in contact shots from blank cartridge handguns: a study on composite models
Authors: Rebecca Pircher
Markus Große Perdekamp
Annette Thierauf-Emberger
Lena Kramer
Stefan Pollak
Dorothee Geisenberger
Publication date: 01-09-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 5/2017
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-017-1650-2

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

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