Citation

Matoso RI, Freire AR, Santos LS, Daruge Junior E, Rossi AC, Prado FB. PLoS One 2014; 9(10): e111192.

Affiliation

Department of Morphology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, FOP-UNICAMP, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Public Library of Science)

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0111192

PMID

25343337

Abstract

Firearms can cause fatal wounds, which can be identified by traces on or around the body. However, there are cases where neither the bullet nor gun is found at the crime scene. Ballistic research involving finite element models can reproduce computational biomechanical conditions, without compromising bioethics, as they involve no direct tests on animals or humans. This study aims to compare the morphologies of gunshot entrance holes caused by.40-caliber Smith & Wesson (S&W),.380-caliber, and 9×19-mm Luger bullets. A fully metal-jacketed.40 S&W projectile, a fully metal-jacketed.380 projectile, and a fully metal-jacketed 9×19-mm Luger projectile were computationally fired at the glabellar region of the finite element model from a distance of 10 cm, at perpendicular incidence. The results show different morphologies in the entrance holes produced by the three bullets, using the same skull at the same shot distance. The results and traits of the entrance holes are discussed. Finite element models allow feasible computational ballistic research, which may be useful to forensic experts when comparing and analyzing data related to gunshot wounds in the forehead.

Language: en