Citation

Taylor SC, Kieser DC, Hammer N, Ondruschka B, Kranioti E, Pullen A, Hooper G. BMJ Mil. Health 2022; 168(3): 196-199.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmjmilitary-2019-001369

PMID

32393517

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Handguns and rifles are often involved in violent deaths such as homicide and suicide. Consequently, forensic investigations are important to clarify the nature of ballistic trauma.
METHODS: This study investigated the differences in entrance and exit wound morphology with Bos taurus (bovine) scapulae that have two cortical layers surrounding a central cancellous bone section which are comparable with human flat bones, with a series of experiments using six different calibres (0.22 Long Rifle, 9×19 mm North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 0.40 Smith & Wesson, 0.45 Automatic Colt Pistol, 5.56×45 mm and 7.62×51 mm). B. taurus (bovine) scapulae were used for closed range 30 cm simulated executions.
RESULTS: The ballistic experiments presented similarities in entrance wound morphology and exit wound bevelling with that of recognised forensic cases. As muzzle velocity increased, bevelling increased. Circumferential delamination is clearly visible with full metal jacket rounds, yielding similar bone damage morphology as human crania.
CONCLUSION: Bovine scapulae seem appropriate for ballistic simulations of flat bone injuries on the macroscopic level, if the correct portion of the scapulae is deployed. More research is needed to further substantiate these interpretations.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Male; Firearms; Animals; Wounds, Gunshot; forensic medicine; forensic pathology; Forensic Ballistics; anatomy; trauma management; Scapula; Cattle; Horses; wound management