Wound Ballistics

Dr Ajee KuruvillaAssoc Prof

Forensic Medicine

A Fired Projectile is accompanied by

• Flame• Hot gases under pressure • Soot• Burnt particles• Unburnt particles• Metallic particles

A Fired Projectile is accompanied by

• Flame- singeing• Burnt particles- soot, blackening• Unburnt particles- tattooing• Bullet’s initial attempt of perforating skin-

Abraded collar• Contusion from bullet entering- contusion

collar• Dirt/ grease of bullet- dirt/ grease collar

REVOLVER/ PISTOL• Muzzle Velocity - 150 - 200 m/sec

(revolver) 300 - 400 m/sec (pistol)• Range - 100 m• Extension of flame - 2 - 3 inches (5- 7.5

cm)• Extension of smoke - 12 inches (30 cm)• Extension of unburnt powder Particles - 24 inches (60 cm)

RIFLE

• Muzzle Velocity - 450 - 1500 m/sec• Range - 1000 - 3000 m• Extension of flame - 6 – 8 inches (15-20cm)• Extension of smoke - 12 -18 inches (30-45

cm)• Extension of unburnt powder Particles - 30-36 inches (75- 90

cm)

SHOT GUN

• Muzzle Velocity - 350 - 400 m/sec• Range - 300 - 400 m• Extension of flame - 6 – 8 inches (15-20cm)• Extension of smoke - 12 -18 inches (30-45

cm)• Extension of unburnt powder Particles - 30-36 inches (75- 90

cm)

RIFLED FIRE ARM INJURIES

• Contact Shot: on contact• Close Range: within range of flame

& soot - few inches from the muzzle• Near range: within the range of

smoke & unburnt powder -1-3 feet• Distant shot: > 3 feet

FIRE ARM INJURIES

• INJURIES PRODUCED BY RIFLED FIREARMS• INJURIES PRODUCED BY SMOOTH BORED

FIREARMS (SHOT GUN)

Rifled weapon-Contact Shot (entry wound)

Rifled weapon-Contact Shot