Citation

Smedra-Kaźmirska A, Barzdo M, Jurczyk AP, Berent J. J. Forensic Sci. 2015; 60(5): 1365-1368.

Affiliation

Medical University of Lodz - Forensic Medicine, Dedziowska 18a, Lodz, Poland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.12749

PMID

25864492

Abstract

Pursuant to the Polish Weapons and Ammunitions Law, muzzle-loading black powder weapons, manufactured before 1885, or their replicas, as well as suitable projectiles, can be possessed legally without registration and special licenses. The aim of the study was to assess the penetration depth of projectiles fired from a black powder weapon, replica of Colt Navy of 1851, in 20% gelatin blocks and to compare the obtained results with the actual injuries found on autopsy of a 78-year-old man who had committed suicide. In the experiments, we used the black powder weapon and ammunitions, as well as gelatin blocks serving as a soft tissue model. We ascertained that solid spherical projectiles fired from black powder weapons cause extensive injuries, especially in the initial segment of the wound canal. Additionally, based on the presence and location of the wad in the wound canal, the distance from which the shot was fired can be determined.

Language: en