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FIREARM WOUNDS
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By
Firearm
An instrument or device with which it is possible to propel a projectile by means of the expansive force of the gases generated by the combustion of an explosive substance
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FIREARM WOUNDS
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Firearm wounding is a special form of trauma producing a breech through the body of a person by a bullet or shot charge Principles & Practice of Forensic Medicine by Nasib R. Awan
HISTORY OF FIREARMS
Firearms came to Europe from China To produce an efficient firearm, there are three basic criteria to be met.
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Weapon should be capable of causing substantial damage It should be reliable & convenient to use It should be reasonably accurate
Reverend Alexander John Forsythe, in 1807, living near Aberdeen, Scotland, held the first patent for a percussion ignition system..
Earliest weapons: bow and arrow, crossbow, simple catapult to huge ballistics / trebuchet Gunpowder developed in china 1500 yrs ago; came to Europe and from 14th century used as weapon Gunpowder= Charcoal, Saltpetre (Potassium Nitrite), Sulphur Earliest guns were cannons, front then breech loading Early guns flintlock muzzle loading with 3 parts lock, stock and barrel
ASSAULT RIFLES
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AK-47 Assault rifle Developed: 1974 Mikael Kalashnikov Caliber: 5.45mm Magazine capacity: 30 Loaded weight: 3,600g Killing range: 1,350m
BALLISTICS
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Knowledge of physical forces acting on the projectile & missile by Nasib R. Awan
Ballistics
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T H E O R E T I C A L
Interior ballistics
Wound ballistics
Exterior ballistics
P R A C T I C A L
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Clear Concept
INTERIOR BALLISTICS
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Knowledge of the forces responsible for propulsion of projectile within the bore of the barrel till the end of the projectile.
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Understanding pre-requires knowledge of:1Missile design & cycle of fire. 2Ammunition design. Missile design & cycle of fire Missile design:a- Portion containing mechanical device (not important). b- Barrel for jetting of the projectile (Important because it has relation to WOUND BALLISTICS).
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FIREARM DESIGN
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Grip Barrel
Action
Barrel
Action
FIREARMS
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Colt 45
Luger 9mm
9 mm Thompson
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5.7 mm
CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS
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Barrel
Steel tube for jetting of the projectile. Two ends --Breach & Muzzle end Internal diameter of the barrel. May be SMOOTH or RIFLED
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Bore
CLASSIFICATION OF FIREARMS
Smooth Bored
Rifled
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Barrel
Rifling
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18.80 mm
18.40 mm
Cylindrical portion
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CHOKE
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Cycle of fire:- Three stages: iCartridge feeding and chambering. iiStriking of fire iiiExtraction of fire cartridge.
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AMMUNITION DESIGN
PROJECTILE CONSISTS OF:-
Cartridge Case Primer Powder charge (Black or Smokeless) Plastic Wad Shot charge (Bullet or Lead shots)
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C A R T R I D G E
B U L L E T
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CARTRIDGE CASE
Function: expands and seals chamber against rearward escape of gases. Composition: usually brass (70% copper 30% zinc); also plastic and paper in shotgun shell tubes.
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Shape:
(a) straight ("always" pistol ammunition) (b) bottleneck ("always" rifle ammunition) (c) tapered ("obsolete").
CARTRIDGE CASE
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Cartridge cases (outer covering of the cartridge) are made up of Cardboard & plastic. Bullet cases are made of brass (70% copper and 30% zinc). A few have a nickel coating. Primer cases are of similar composition (Cu-Zn). Bullet cores are most often lead and antimony, with a very few having a ferrous alloy core. Bullet jackets are usually brass (90% copper with 10% zinc), but some are a ferrous alloy and some are aluminum. Some bullet coatings may also contain nickel (Ravreby, 1982) 21
CONTAINS AND KEEPS THE INNER CONTENTS IN POSITION PREVENTS THE BACK ESCAPE OF GASES PROTECTION TO THE CONTENTS TYPES OF CARTRIDGE CASES Rimmed, Semi rimmed, Rimless, Rebated, Belted CSAELESS CARTRIDGE
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PRIMER
The major primer elements are Lead styphnate(Pb), Barium nitrate (Ba), or a Antimony sulphide(Sb). Usually, all three are present. Less common elements include Aluminum (Al), Sulfur (S), Tin (Sn), Calcium (Ca), Potassium (K), Chlorine (Cl), or Silicon (Si). Primer elements may be easier to detect in residues because they do not get as hot as the powder, and compounds (not just elements) may be detectable. (Tassa et al, 1982b)
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Function:
Location: (a) centrefire. Centrally placed primer assembly comprising primer cup (struck by firing pin), primer, anvil with flash holes. Boxer design (USA) or Berdan design (Europe). (b) rimfire. No primer assembly. Primer spun into rim of cartridge case (rim struck by firing pin) and in contact with propellant.
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POWDER CHARGE
Modern gunpowder, or "smokeless" powder, can contain up to 23 organic compounds (FBI study) Nitrocellulose is virtually always present, along with other compounds containing nitrate or nitrogen. One of these compounds, diphenylamine (used as a stabilizer in the powder), can be detected using reagents containing sulfuric acid. (Maloney et al, 1982). Modern gun powders are also described as "single-base" when the basic ingredient is nitrocellulose and as "double-base" when there is additionally 1 to 40% nitroglycerine added. If nitroguanidine it is Triple base. Hardy and Chera (1979) describe a method to differentiate them using a mass spectrometer .
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75%
CHARCOAL SULPHUR
15% 10%
Charcoal is the fuel, potassium nitrate the oxygen supplier gives the mixture more density and makes it more readily ignitable
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PROPELLANT Function: burns to produce large volumes of gases under pressure. Shape: sheets of smokeless powder cut into disc, flake or cylinder shapes. Alternatively produced as ball and flattened ball smokeless powder (Winchester) which may be coated with silver-black graphite.
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CHAIN OF EVENTS
Strike Primer ignites Powder charge burns Temperature increases Gases produce Chamber pressure increases Bullet/Shot charge moves Exit of bullet Chamber pressure zero
Gases produced: Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide Nitrogen, Sulphurated hydrogen
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CHAMBER PRESSURE:iRevolver:- 4 tons iiPistol:6 tons iii- Rifle:20 tons Bullet:Forward & rotational motion. Shot charge:Forward movement.
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EXTERIOR BALLISTICS
Knowledge of forces acting on the shot while it leaves the barrel till it reaches the target
Interactions of forces:1- Forces originating from the bullet motion
a- Velocity:i- Forward (Rate of motion (speed) and Direction ii- Rotational :- It varies (length of the barrel) b- Velocity of bullet at the muzzle end for various firearms:i- Revolver:- 600 900ft/sec ii- Pistol:1200 1440 ft/sec iii- Rifle:2000 3500 ft/sec
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Velocity
1- Speed or Rate of motion also called Muzzle velocity
2- Direction of motion
Forward motion Also Rotational motion in bullets due to rifling
Bullets do not typically follow a straight line to the target. Rotational forces are in effect that keep 32 the bullet off a straight axis of flight.
DEFINITIONS
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YAW: is the oscillation around the long axix of the bullet. PRECESSION: is a circular Yawabout the center of gravity which takes the shape of a decreasing spiral. Nutation: is a rotational movement in a small circle which forms a rosette pattern like a spinning top.
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Projectile Follows..
Curved path
Trajectory of bullet
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TRAJECTORY OF BULLET
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Tail wag
Inside barrel projectile is supported by walls of barrel Entering new medium loses balance due to air resistance & force of gravity Regains balance after covering some distance
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Medicolegal importance
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It is concerned with the effect of bullet on the target at impact until it comes to rest by Naseeb R. Awan
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INTERACTION BETWEEN THE FIRE BLAST AND PART STRUCK FORCES IN THE FIRE - BLAST PROJECTILE & ITS DIAMETER SHAPE WEIGHT RIGIDITY TERMINAL VELOCITY (MOST IMPORTANT)
FACTORS IN THE PART STRUCK RESISTANCE OF THE TISSUE DEPENDS UPON NATURE, DESIGN & DENSITY
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Velocity is a key factor to the overall extent of gunshot wounds According to the kinetic energy equation: (kinetic energy = mass/ 2 x velocity2) Doubling the mass doubles the energy, however doubling the velocity quadruples the energy Therefore a small-caliber bullet traveling at high speed can produce a more extensive injury than larger caliber 41 bullet traveling at a lower speed
1- Missile velocity 2- Shape & composition of projectile or Frontal area 3- Angle of impact 4- Flight characteristics as yaw, tumbling & nutation 5- Fragmentation
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a. b.
c. d. e. f. g. h.
i.
PART STRUCK SOFT AND ELASTIC TISSUE PUSHES & STRETCHES THE SKIN & UNDERLYING TISSUE. ROTATES UPON ITS AXIS INDENTATION IS PRODUCED PERFORATION OF TISSUE PASSAGE OF BULLET ENERGY OF BULLET RADIATES LATERALLY DAMAGE PROPORTIONATE TO DIAMETER OF THE BULLET REPRESENTED BY THE PATH OR TRACK OF THE BULLET
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SHOCK WAVES
I. II. III. IV. V. VI.
DEMONSTRATED ONLY BY HIGH SPEED PHOTOGRAPHY OR RADIOGRAPHY IN HIGH VELOCITY BULLETS TRACK IS FORCED THROGH SOLID TISSUE. MEDIUM IS COMPRESSED BY MISSILE IN FRONT OF IT REGION OF COMPRESSION MOVES AS A SHOCK WAVE OF SPHERICAL FORM, 4800/FT/S CHANGES OF PRESSURE REMAINS FOR A MILLIONTH OF SECOND BUT MAY REACH PEAK VALUE UP TO 100atm.
So damage at a distance from wound track. Solid tissues like Muscle, Liver, Spleen & brain are very susceptible. Conducted particularly well along tube filled tubes like arteries & veins to cause damage at a distance.
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Shock Waves
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SHOCK WAVES
. GENERATED IN TISSUES BY HIGH VELOCITY BULLETS, GREATER THAN 2,500/FEET/SEC
Last only for 15-25 microseconds Are of high energy creating over 1000 lbs/sq inch of pressure Easily rupture gas filled organs
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TYPES OF CAVITATIONS
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Temporary: Permanent:
High velocity missile Main destructive effect Release of energy, absorbed by the local tissue. Accelerated violently forwards & outwards. Continue to move even after passage of missile. A large cavity is produced (temporary cavity), reaches its maximum size, have sub atmospheric pressure, collapses in a pulsatile fashion and permanent cavity left. Soft tissues pulped, blood vessels disrupted and bone may be shattered.
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CAVITATION
. CREATED BY THE BULLETS TRAVELLING AT SPEEDS > 1000 FT/SEC
Size & shape depends upon the capacity of the bullet to disperse energy in the surrounding tissues Tissues are moved forward & laterally away from the bullet Continues for few milliseconds after bullet has passed This creates a cavity which sucks air in from entry & exit wounds & may be 30 times more in diameter than that of the bullet Permanent cavity if exists is much smaller than the temporary cavity
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1- Shot charge (bullet/pallet) 2- Flame & heat 3- Hot explosive gases 4- Smoke 5- Wad 6- Unburnt gun powder 7- Grease from the barrel
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I.
II.
a. b.
All these elements affect: Body of the victim as signs & symptoms At the place of strike or target produce characteristic changes Result is FIREARM WOUND COMPLEX This has two components: Wounding component Non wounding component
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1.
2. 3. 4.
Firearm-wound complex has four parts: An entry wound A track with its direction Place of resting of bullet or shot-charge. Exit wound
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ENTRY WOUND
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SINGLE HOLE: SIZE : depends upon skin elasticity, tail wag, explosive blast effect of gases so either proportionate to the diameter of the bullet, SMALLER or much larger having STELLATE SHAPE. SHAPE: depending upon the angle of firearm with the target. Circular, Oval, Elliptical, An elongated furrow. Inverted margins. May be everted. Collar of abrasion: shape depends upon the angle of firearm with the target.
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FLAME
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BURNING
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SMOKE
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Burning: Few inches in case of revolver & one foot in case of a Shotgun by Naseeb R. Awan
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by Naseeb R. Awan
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Un-burnt gunpowder particles pierce the skin while blood stains are washable
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Tattooing
Blood stains
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SKIN CHANGES
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Gross splitting: Seen in high velocity bullet & contact wound of low velocity bullet . Tail wag/range/gas penetration. BLOW BACK PHENOMENON Bruising (at or around entry wound due to general tissue trauma) MUZZLE IMPRINT, Gases of the blast ballooning & bruising the skin/Vital reaction / Inflammatory reaction Collar of Abrasion: Rub raw of the superficial skin layers while projectile enters the skin. More prominent in rifled firearms due to their rotational motion
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Collar Of Abrasion
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Hard/Firm contact
Loose contact
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FIRM CONTACT
LOOSE CONTACT
Lacks exterior residue. No imprints of components of fire externally. Burning, blackening, tattooing present in the track or interior of wound or on intervening bone. Pinkish discoloration due to CoHb. Muzzle imprint on close examination. Entry wound of variable shape with collar of abrasion.
As small gap between body & weapon. Circular defect. Collar of abrasion. Circular soot material. Tattooing, blackening & burning in the wound track. No scorching, singeing externally. Muzzle imprint. Pinkish discoloration
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NEAR DISTANT
INTERMEDIATE RANGE
Barrel is held close to skin in the range of flame & smoke. Central defect. Collar of abrasion. Inverted margins. Burning, scorching, singeing, blackening & tattooing present.
Within 1 2 yard Hole Collar of abrasion. Inverted margins. Blackening fades. Tattooing present
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Hole Collar of Abrasion Grease collar inside the collar of abrasion also called smudge ring No flame & gun powder effect.
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Muzzle of firearm pressed hard on some hard bony area as forehead / skull Gases cant enter skull & escape from sides causing lacerations in the scalp Star shaped projections in scalp Components of shot present inside skull in the track
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Examination of clothes is important Burning, blackening, tattooing present Collar of abrasion present Grease collar / Dirt collar may be present Margins may be inverted Wad maybe present in the track in case of smooth bored firearm
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SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE
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Construction:chamber primer/powder/wad/shot Shot types Bird, Buck, Slugs Pellets Rarely exit Variable factors Range Gauge Choke
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The unfavorable ballistic shape of shotgun pallets combined With lack of stabilizing spin, causes a rapid fall-off in velocity & Thus Kinetic energy by Naseeb R. Awan
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Fanning phenomenon
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Entry Wound By contact to 2 ft birdshot produces a single wound By 3 ft there will be Rat-hole type of entry wound By 4 ft scattered satellite pallet holes By 10 ft there is great variation in type of entry wound
The diameter of spread of pallets on body in inches is roughly equal to the distance from muzzle in yards Wad may travel upto 6 ft & may be found in track of injury within that distance Billiard Ball Ricochetting phenomenon: Important in giving distance of fire
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THIS
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LOOSE CONTACT SHOTGUN WOUND AND A LARGER, MORE RAGGED EXIT WOUND.
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IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
Beveling of skull bone
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Bone of skull is dipoc (has 2 layers). Table which is struck first by projectile is supported from below so has comparatively small circular hole & clean margins. Table which is 2nd to be struck has no support so has a bigger irregular hole & beveled margins.
M/L importance Gives direction of fire
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Beveled margins
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IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
Birdshot Buckshot Dustshot Blank ammunition Dum dum bullets
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Size of pallet is 2-9 Pallets larger than size 9 Pallets smaller in size Only powder no projectile present Either non-jacketed or partially jacketed. They may expand or flatten on impact thus increasing energy dissipation & tissue destruction
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IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
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Efficiency of a bullet in overcoming air resistance Breaking up of a jacketed bullet through some bone or non-jacketed bullet through soft tissues Bullet gains access to blood circulation & carried away to distant location
Swallowed bullets
Tandem bullets
Ricochetted bullet
DUM-DUM BULLET
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A hollow point is an expanding bullet that has a pit or hollowed out shape in its tip, generally intended to cause the bullet to expand upon entering a target in order to decrease penetration and disrupt more tissue as it travels through the target. It is also used for controlled penetration, where overpenetration could cause collateral damage (such as on an aircraft).
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TANDEM BULLET
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Tandem cartridge if used could result in multiple entrance wounds in a single fire. If the first bullet fails to leave the barrel and is ejected by the subsequent fired bullets. The bullets are ejected one before the other and are called as tandem bullets.
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KENNEDY PHENOMENON
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Surgical alteration or suturing of gunshot wounds creates problem. in this situation the evaluation of the wound whether it was an entrance or exit wound becomes difficult. This phenomenon is called as Kennedy phenomenon.
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Diagnosing long-range injury based on the pattern of pellet spread is difficult. When shotgun pellets are tightly clustered or widely spread out, close-range injury or long-range injury (respectively) is usually suspected. However, in close-range injuries, the billiardball effect may cause considerable pellet spread.16 When the tightly clustered group of shot at close range contacts the skin, the pellets at the front of the group are slowed. The pellets behind them in the group strike the pellets in front, with an effect like a billiard-ball break. This causes much more pellet spread in tissue than would be expected at close range. On radiographs, particularly in trunk wounds, this effect can simulate the pellet spread of a longer-range injury.16 Correlate the physical examination with the radiologic findings. If there is only one entrance wound hole, it is a close-range injury. If the distribution of the multiple skin entrance wounds is the same as the pellet spread on the radiograph, the injury occurred at longer range.
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SHOTGUN PELLETS 1
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SHOTGUN PELLETS 2
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Firearm wounds are one type of wounds you may never get hold on. Even 1000th case of your professional life will bring another chapter of mystery & new learning
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THANKYOU !
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