Suicide by a construction nail fired from a pistol

Penetrating head injury to accomplish suicide by a non-ammunition-related projectile discharged from a nail-gun is a very rare entity. The authors describe even much rarer, and the first reported case of a suicide penetrating head injury by a construction nail discharged from a blank cartridge of a pistol. The absence of beveling and muzzle impression, the non-ejection of the discharged cartridge, and the exit of just the tip of the nail from the other side of wound were the atypical features in this firearm fatality sustained at a contact-range. The entry wound prototypes like abrasion and grease collar, and blackening were absent. An improvisation to insert a construction nail into the chamber of firearm, for utilization as a projectile was another unique highlight here. The deceased was a construction builder. Being debt-ridden, he probably could not manage to purchase even one live cartridge for his licensee pistol to bring suicidal ideation to culmination.

TASER CEW distance determination for models X26P, X2, and TASER 7

TASER weapons, classified as Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs) are used by law enforcement as electrical, non-lethal weapons. A CEW's long distance method of deployment launches two barbed probes that embed into the target, before electricity is cycled from one probe to the other. The resulting muscle contractions help incapacitate the intended target. Currently, there is no research on the accuracy of variability of CEW probe spread in determining the distance of the shooter. Thus, in this study, a method of distance determination for TASER models X26P, X2, and TASER 7 was established to help estimate the relative locations of individuals during crime scene reconstruction. Each of four probe cartridge types were launched for six repetitions towards vertical cardboard targets from three different distances (n = 72). The probe spread on the targets was measured for each cartridge and plotted against CEW-To-Target (CTT) distance. Linear regression trendlines and standard deviations were generated for each cartridge type. Results demonstrated probe spread distances to be proportional to probe launch angles, and greater CTT distances resulted in greater standard deviation. Standard error of the estimate was calculated for all four linear regression equations and their ability to predict CTT distance when given probe spread measurements. The mean standard error values appeared acceptable for the X2 (0.460 m), TASER 7 CQ (0.273 m), and X26P (0.322 m) CEW models, while the mean error calculated for the TASER 7 Standoff model (0.846 m) was considerably greater. We expect our findings will help establish a reliable method of distance determination for CEWs, and perhaps with a larger sample size, more thoroughly examine the accuracy of the linear regression equations. CEW distance determination has the potential to provide support in contextualizing crime scene reconstruction with further research. By providing distance estimations alongside a standardized guide of error allowance, it would be possible to induce how far apart individuals were at the time a CEW was fired, within the calculated window of deviation, and in a statistical degree of confidence.

AK bullet (7,62 × 39 mm) ricochet off flat, wooden targets; A forensic-based study

The ricochet behaviour of AK bullets (7,62 × 39 mm), one of the prominently reported bullet type in recent shooting incidents worldwide, has been examined on a range of different wooden surfaces in this study. The critical angles of AK bullets for teak, Jack wood, mahogany and pine were reported with close values ranging from 9.9 to 13.3- degrees, suggestive of being a valuable reference that can be used during AK bullet ricochet-related shooting investigations with similar conditions. The study also highlighted a significant phenomenon against the existing understanding on the wood hardness and the critical angles of bullets. The widths of the AK bullet wipe marks generated on the wood surfaces were highly consistent, regardless of impact angle, allowing an effective approximation of bullet caliber. Bullet tunnelling effect were also observed with pinewood samples in this study. The study also further highlights the great variability of bullet ricochet phenomena and the challenging nature of using the theoretical and experimental results relates to wood ricochet studies for shooting reconstructions.

Heavy metal in radiology: how to reliably differentiate between lodged copper and lead bullets using CT numbers

BACKGROUND

The in situ classification of bullets is of interest in forensic investigations when the bullet cannot be removed. Although computed tomography (CT) is usually performed on shooting victims, visual assessment, or caliber measurements using CT can be challenging or infeasible if the bullets are deformed or fragmented. Independent from the bullet's intactness, x-ray attenuation values (CT numbers) may provide information regarding the material of the bullet.

METHODS

Ethical approval was not required (animal cadavers) or waived by the ethics committee (decedents). Copper and lead bullets were fired into animal cadavers, which then underwent CT scanning at four energy levels (80, 100, 120, and 140 kVp). CT numbers were measured within regions of interest (ROIs). In addition to comparing CT numbers, the dual-energy index (DEI), representing the ratio between the CT numbers of two energy levels, was calculated. The most appropriate method was applied for decedents with fatal gunshot wounds.

RESULTS

CT numbers demonstrated no significant difference between copper and lead bullets, and false classifications can easily occur. DEI calculations revealed significant differences between the two groups of bullets. The 120/140 DEIs calculated from the maximum CT numbers obtained from ROIs at the edge of copper versus lead bullets presented a significant difference (p = 0.002) and a gap between the CT numbers of copper and lead bullets and was successfully applied for the decedents.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents a viable method for distinguishing copper and lead bullets in situ via CT and highlights the potential pitfalls of incorrect classifications.

Identification of gunshots to the head by detection of RNA in backspatter primarily expressed in brain tissue

Traces of backspatter recovered from the inside of the barrel of a gun that was used to deliver suicidal or homicidal contact shots may be a source of valuable forensic evidence and first systematic investigations of the persistence of victim DNA from inside firearms have been presented. The aim of the present study was to include victim RNA in such analyses to determine the origin of tissues in addition and parallel to standard DNA profiling for forensic identification purposes. In a first step, suitable mRNA (C1orf61) and micro-RNAs (miR-124a and miR-124*) that are primarily expressed in brain tissue were selected from potential candidates and confirmed using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Secondly, a co-extraction procedure for RNA and DNA was established and brain differentiability of the selected RNAs was demonstrated via qPCR using samples from experimental shots at ballistic models. In a third step, this procedure was successfully applied to analyse samples from real casework comprising eight cases of suicidal contact shots. In this pilot study, we are first to report the possibility of co-extracting mRNA, miRNA and DNA from ballistic trace samples collected from the inside of firearms and we demonstrate that RNA and DNA based analyses can be performed in parallel to produce informative and highly complementary evidence.

A case report of spinal cord injury patient from a high velocity gunshot wound to the lumbar spine

We report on operational and rehabilitation management, as well as the outcome, of a patient who with sustained spinal cord injury from a high velocity gunshot wound to the lumbar spine. More specifically, a patient with a gunshot wound to the spine is more likely to sustain a complete injury and have a poor prognosis. As such, there should be concerns regarding associated and extended injuries related to bullet fragmentation as well as the possibility of long-term sequelae.