Citation

Henwood BJ, Oost TS, Fairgrieve SI. J. Forensic Sci. 2019; 64(4): 1139-1144.

Affiliation

Forensic Osteology Laboratory, Department of Forensic Science, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 2C6, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1556-4029.14004

PMID

30664817

Abstract

Studies on ballistic trauma to the ribs and thorax, cranium, and long bones demonstrate the potential of obtaining a bullet caliber from an entrance wound. In order to validate prior research on caliber estimation in bone tissue and assess the viability of bullet type determination based on the macroscopic evidence at the entrance wound, thirty fleshed pork (Sus scrofa) shoulders (humeri) were shot with either lead or copper jacketed bullets in one of three calibers; 0.22, 9 mm, or 0.38. Overall, our findings are consistent with previous research indicating that calibers can be grouped into "small" and "large" categories. Bullet type, lead or copper jacket, can be ascertained based on cortical flaking and the analysis of materials deposited around the entry wound. The addition of this evidence holds value in cases where no firearm or ballistic evidence is recovered from a crime scene.

© 2019 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Language: en

Keywords

ballistics; bullet caliber; bullet type; forensic anthropology; forensic science; gunshot wound