Citation

Frank M, Peters D, Klemm W, Grossjohann R, Ekkernkamp A, Bockholdt B, Seifert J. Int. J. Legal Med. 2017; 131(5): 1307-1312.

Affiliation

Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin (ukb), Warener Str. 7, 12683, Berlin, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00414-017-1606-6

PMID

28536882

Abstract

Recently, an increasing number of an uncommon weapon type based on a caliber 6-mm Flobert blank cartridge actuated revolver which discharges 10-mm-diameter rubber ball projectiles has been confiscated by police authorities following criminal offenses. A recent trauma case presenting with a penetrating chest injury occasioned an investigation into the basic ballistic parameters of this type of weapon. Kinetic energy E of the test projectiles was calculated between 5.8 and 12.5 J. Energy density ED of the test projectiles was close to or higher than the threshold energy density of human skin. It can be concluded that penetrating skin injuries due to free-flying rubber ball projectiles discharged at close range cannot be ruled out. However, in case of a contact shot, the main injury potential of this weapon type must be attributed to the high energy density of the muzzle gas jet which may, similar to well-known gas or alarm weapons, cause life-threatening or even lethal injuries.

Language: en

Keywords

Alarm weapon; Blank cartridge; Gas weapon; Muzzle gas pressure; Rubber ball