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Oura P, Niinimäki J, Brix M, Lammentausta E, Liimatainen T, Junno A, Junno JA. Observing the fragmentation of two expanding bullet types and a full metal-jacketed bullet with computed tomography-a forensic ballistics case study. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:671-676. [PMID: 37455274 PMCID: PMC10861703 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03062-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) may have a crucial role in the forensic documentation and analysis of firearm injuries. The aim of this forensic ballistics case study was to explore whether two types of expanding bullets and a full metal-jacketed bullet could be differentiated by inspecting bullet fragments and fragmentation pattern in CT. Three types of .30 caliber bullets (full metal-jacketed Norma Jaktmatch, expanding full-copper Norma Ecostrike, and expanding soft-point Norma Oryx) were test fired from a distance of 5 m to blocks of 10% ballistic gelatine. CT scans of the blocks were obtained with clinical equipment and metal artifact reduction. Radiopaque fragments were identified and fragmentation parameters were obtained from the scans (total number of fragments, maximum diameter of the largest fragment, distance between entrance and the closest fragment, length of the fragment cloud, and maximum diameters of the fragment cloud). The fragmentation patterns were additionally visualized by means of 3D reconstruction. In CT, the bullet types differed in several fragmentation parameters. While the expanding full-copper bullet Ecostrike left behind only a single fragment near the end of the bullet channel, the soft-point Oryx had hundreds of fragments deposited throughout the channel. For both expanding bullets Ecostrike and Oryx, the fragments were clearly smaller than those left behind by the full metal-jacketed Jaktmatch. This was surprising as the full metal-jacketed bullet was expected to remain intact. The fragment cloud of Jaktmatch had similar mediolateral and superoinferior diameters to that of Oryx; however, fragments were deposited in the second half of the gelatine block, and not throughout the block. This case study provides a basis and potential methodology for further experiments. The findings are expected to benefit forensic practitioners with limited background information on gunshot injury cases, for example, those that involve several potential firearms or atypical gunshot wounds. The findings may prove beneficial for both human and wildlife forensics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petteri Oura
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland.
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, FI-00271, Helsinki, Finland.
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Jaakko Niinimäki
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Kajaanintie 50, 90220, Oulu, Finland
| | - Mikael Brix
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Kajaanintie 50, 90220, Oulu, Finland
| | - Eveliina Lammentausta
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Kajaanintie 50, 90220, Oulu, Finland
| | - Timo Liimatainen
- Research Unit of Health Sciences and Technology, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Kajaanintie 50, 90220, Oulu, Finland
| | - Alina Junno
- Department of Archaeology, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Juho-Antti Junno
- Department of Archaeology, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
- Cancer and Translational Medicine Research Unit, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland
- Archaelogy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 4, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland
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Motamedi DS, Fitzgerald ZT, Schmit B, Mushtaq R. Spectrum of injuries with "less-lethal" beanbag weapons: pictorial essay. Emerg Radiol 2023; 30:119-126. [PMID: 36401711 DOI: 10.1007/s10140-022-02104-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Beanbag weapons are gaining popularity with increasing daily use as a non-lethal or less-lethal alternative to traditional firearms. While these are considered "less-lethal," these are associated with a spectrum of serious injuries. We present a pictorial essay of these injuries ranging from mild skin contusions to more severe solid organ injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damon Salar Motamedi
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - Berndt Schmit
- Department of Radiology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Raza Mushtaq
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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Baum GR, Baum JT, Hayward D, MacKay BJ. Gunshot Wounds: Ballistics, Pathology, and Treatment Recommendations, with a Focus on Retained Bullets. Orthop Res Rev 2022; 14:293-317. [PMID: 36090309 PMCID: PMC9462949 DOI: 10.2147/orr.s378278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
As the epidemic of gunshot injuries and firearm fatalities continues to proliferate in the United States, knowledge regarding gunshot wound (GSW) injury and management is increasingly relevant to health-care providers. Unfortunately, existing guidelines are largely outdated, written in a time that high-velocity weapons and deforming bullets were chiefly restricted to military use. Advances in firearm technology and increased accessibility of military grade firearms to civilians has exacerbated the nature of domestic GSW injury and complicated clinical decision-making, as these weapons are associated with increased tissue damage and often result in retained bullets. Currently, there is a lack of literature addressing recent advances in the field of projectile-related trauma, specifically injuries with retained bullets. This review aims to aggregate the available yet dispersed findings regarding ballistics, GSW etiology, and treatment, particularly for cases involving retained projectiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gracie R Baum
- Department of Orthopedic Hand Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Jaxon T Baum
- School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Dan Hayward
- School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Brendan J MacKay
- Department of Orthopedic Hand Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA,Correspondence: Brendan J MacKay, Department of Orthopedic Hand Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 808 Joliet Ave Suite 310, Lubbock, TX, 79415, USA, Tel +1 806 743 4600, Email
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State of the art in post-mortem computed tomography: a review of current literature. Virchows Arch 2019; 475:139-150. [PMID: 30937612 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-019-02562-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) and other advanced diagnostic imaging techniques are gaining popularity in forensic pathology. This paper aims to define and offer complete and easily accessible "state of the art" for post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT), by reviewing the latest international literature. The proposed format answers the "five Ws" that follows: (1) What: We report the different kinds of CT scan and settings generally used in post-mortem imaging. The machine most employed is a 8/16-slice spiral CT, usually without contrast enhancement. The introduction of some variables, such as CT-guided biopsies, post-mortem ventilation, and PMCT angiography is becoming increasingly useful. (2) Why: Literature highlights the many advantages of PMCT. Limitations can be partly overcome by modern imaging techniques and combined evaluation with traditional autopsy. (3) Who: Most authors agree that collaboration between different specialists, i.e., radiologists and pathologists, is the best scenario, since radiologic, anatomic, and forensic skills are needed simultaneously. The most important human factor is "teamwork". (4) When: Literature provides no absolute limits for performing PMCT. Some authors have tested PMCT as a replacement for conventional autopsy but found some limitations. Others evaluated PMCT as a guide or screening tool for traditional autopsy. (5) Where: Many research groups around the world have performed studies on the use of PMCT. Although few countries adopt PMCT in routine practice, its use is rapidly spreading.
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