Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Forensic Aspects of Ballistic Injury

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Ryan's Ballistic Trauma

Abstract

Clinical forensic medicine is best defined as the application of forensic medical knowledge and techniques to the solution of law in the investigation of trauma involving living victims.1-5 In the setting of emergency departments, these techniques include the correct forensic evaluation, documentation, and photography of traumatic injuries, as well as the recognition and proper handling of evidentiary material for future use in legal proceedings.1-8

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 269.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Eckert WG, Bell JS, Stein RJ, Tabakman MB, Taff ML, Tedeschi LG. Clinical forensic medicine. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1986;7:182-185.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Smock WS. Forensic emergency medicine. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. St Louis: Mosby; 2002:828-841.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Olshaker JS, Jackson CM, Smock WS. Forensic Emergency Medicine. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Muro GA, Easter CR. Clinical forensics for perioperative nurses. AORN J. 1994;60:585-591. 593.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Smock WS, Nichols GR, Fuller PM. Development and implementation of the first clinical forensic medicine training program. J Forensic Sci. 1993;38:835-839.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Carmona R, Prince K. Trauma and forensic medicine. J Trauma. 1989;29:1222-1225.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Mittleman RE, Goldberg HS, Waksman DM. Preserving evidence in the emergency department. Am J Nurs. 1983;83:1652-1654.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Smialek JE. Forensic medicine in the emergency department. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 1983;1:693-704.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hargarten SW, Waeckerle JF. Docs and cops: a collaborating or colliding partnership? Ann Emerg Med. 2001;38:438-440.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Shepherd JP. Emergency medicine and police collaboration to prevent community violence. Ann Emerg Med. 2001;38:430-437.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Randall T. Clinicians’ forensic interpretations of fatal gunshot wounds often miss the mark. JAMA. 1993;269:2058. 2061.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Apfelbaum JD, Shockley LW, Wahe JW, Moore EE. Entrance and exit gunshot wounds: incorrect terms for the emergency department? J Emerg Med. 1998;16:741-745.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Godley DR, Smith TK. Some medicolegal aspects of gunshot wounds. J Trauma. 1977;17:866-871.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ross RT, Hammen PF, Frantz EI, Pare LE, Boyd CR. Gunshot wounds: evaluating the adequacy of documentation at a Level I trauma center. J Trauma. 1998;45:151-152.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Bowley DM, Vellema J. Wound ballistics – an update. Care of the Critically Ill. 2002;18:133-138.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Ryan MT. Clinical forensic medicine. Ann Emerg Med. 2000;36:271-273.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Collins KA, Lantz PE. Interpretation of fatal, multiple, and exiting gunshot wounds by trauma specialists. J Forensic Sci. 1994;39:94-99.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Fackler ML, Mason RT. Gunshot wounds: evaluating the adequacy of documentation at a level I trauma center. J Trauma. 1999;46:741-742.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Fackler ML. How to describe bullet holes. Ann Emerg Med. 1994;23:386-387.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Fackler ML, Riddick L. Clinicians’ inadequate descriptions of gunshot wounds obstruct justice: Clinical journals refuse to expose the problem. Colordo Springs: Proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. In: Warren EA, Papke BK, eds. 1996:149.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Voelker R. New program targets death investigator training. JAMA. 1996;275:826.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Shuman M, Wright RK. Evaluation of clinician accuracy in describing gunshot wound injuries. J Forensic Sci. 1999;44:339-342.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Di Maio VJM. Gunshot Wounds. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Fatteh A. Medicolegal Investigation of Gunshot wounds. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Sellier KG, Kneubuehl BP. Wound Ballistics and the Scientific Background. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science; 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Gordon I, Shapiro HA, Berson SD. Forensic Medicine. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Knight B. Forensic Pathology. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Spitz WU, Fischer RS. Medicolegal Investigation of Death. Springfield: Charles C Thomas; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Mason JK. Forensic Medicine. London: Chapman Hall Medical; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Adelson L. The Pathology of Homicide. Springfield: Charles C Thomas; 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Knight B. Simpson’s Forensic Medicine. 10th ed. London: Edward Arnold; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Romolo FS, Margot P. Identification of gunshot residue: a critical review. Forensic Sci Int. 2001;119:195-211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Cooper GJ, Ryan JM. Interaction of penetrating missiles with tissues: some common misapprehensions and implications for wound management. Br J Surg. 1990;77:606-610.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Ryan JM, Rich NM, Dale RF, Morgans BT, Cooper GJ. Ballistic Trauma. London: Arnold; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Thali MJ, Kneubuehl BP, Zollinger U, Dirnhofer R. A study of the morphology of gunshot entrance wounds, in connection with their dynamic creation, utilizing the “skin-skull-brain model”. Forensic Sci Int. 2002;125:190-194.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Mason JK, Purdue BN. The Pathology of Trauma. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press – Arnold; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Adelson L. A microscopic study of dermal gunshot wounds. Am J Clin Pathol. 1961;35:393-402.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Fackler ML. Civilian gunshot wounds and ballistics: dispelling the myths. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 1998;16:17-28.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Fackler ML. Wound ballistics. A review of common misconceptions. JAMA. 1988;259:2730-2736.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Fackler ML. Gunshot wound review. Ann Emerg Med. 1996;28:194-203.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Hollerman JJ, Fackler ML, Coldwell DM, Ben-Menachem Y. Gunshot wounds: 1. Bullets, ballistics, and mechanisms of injury. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1990;155:685-690.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Mendelson JA. The relationship between mechanisms of wounding and principles of treatment of missile wounds. J Trauma. 1991;31:1181-1202.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Lindsey D. The idolatry of velocity, or lies, damn lies, and ballistics. J Trauma. 1980;20:1068-1069.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Donoghue ER, Kalelkar MB, Richmond JM, Teass SS. Atypical gunshot wounds of entrance: an empirical study. J Forensic Sci. 1984;29:379-388.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Dixon DS. Tempered plate glass as an intermediate target and its effects on gunshot wound characteristics. J Forensic Sci. 1982;27:205-208.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Stahl CJ, Jones SR, Johnson FB, Luke JL. The effect of glass as an intermediate target on bullets: experimental studies and report of a case. J Forensic Sci. 1979;24:6-17.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Sellier K. Forensic Science Progress, Shot Range Determination Vol 6. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Dixon DS. Determination of direction of fire from graze gunshot wounds. J Forensic Sci. 1980;25:272-279.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Prahlow JA, McClain JL. Lesions that simulate gunshot wounds – further examples II. J Clin Forensic Med. 2001;8:206-213.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Dixon DS. Characteristics of shored exit wounds. J Forensic Sci. 1981;26:691-698.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Murphy GK. The study of gunshot wounds in surgical pathology. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1980;1:123-130.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Mc Lay WDS. Clinical Forensic Medicine. 2nd ed. London: Greenwich Medical Media; 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Schramm CA. Forensic medicine. What the perioperative nurse needs to know. AORN J. 1991;53:669-683, 686-692.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Karger B, Nüsse R, Bajanowski T. Backspatter on the firearm and hand in experimental close-range gunshots to the head. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2002;23:211-213.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Zeichner A, Levin N. Casework experience of GSR detection in Israel, on samples from hands, hair, and clothing using an autosearch SEM/EDX system. J Forensic Sci. 1995;40:1082-1085.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Wolten GM, Nesbitt RS, Calloway AR, Loper GL, Jones PF. Particle analysis for the detection of gunshot residue I: scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray characterization of hand deposits from firing. J Forensic Sci. 1979;24:409-422.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Wolten GM, Nesbitt RS, Calloway AR. Particle analysis for the detection of gunshot residue III: the case record. J Forensic Sci. 1979;24:864-869.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Tillman WL. Automated gunshot residue particle search and characterization. J Forensic Sci. 1987;32:62-71.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Fojtásˇek L, Vacínová J, Kolá P, Kotrlý M. Distribution of GSR particles in the surroundings of shooting pistol. Forensic Sci Int. 2003;132:99-105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Laing DK, Hartshorne AW, Cook R, Robinson G. A fiber data collection for forensic scientists: collection and examination methods. J Forensic Sci. 1987;32:364-369.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Finck PA. Ballistic and forensic pathologic aspects of missile wounds. Conversion between Anglo-American and metric-system units. Mil Med. 1965;130:545-563.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Russell MA, Atkinson RD, Klatt EC, Noguchi TT. Safety in bullet recovery procedures: a study of the Black Talon bullet. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1995;16:120-123.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. McCormick GM, Young DB, Stewart JC. Wounding effects of the Winchester Black Talon bullet. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1996;17:124-129.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Maxson TR. Management of pediatric trauma: blast victims in a mass casualty incident. Clin Ped Emerg Med. 2002;3:256-261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Wightman JM, Gladish SL. Explosions and blast injuries. Ann Emerg Med. 2001;37:664-678.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Further Reading

  • Olshaker JS, Jackson CM, Smock WS. Forensic Emergency Medicine. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Di Maio VJM. Gunshot Wounds. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fatteh A. Medicolegal Investigation of Gunshot Wounds. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight B. Forensic Pathology. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sellier K. Forensic Science Progress, Shot Range Determination. vol. 6. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

With special thanks to Fiona Bester, the Deputy Librarian of the University of the Witwatersrand Health Sciences Library, and her members of staff, Senior Superintendent B.A. Kloppers, the Operational Commander of the Ballistics Unit at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Pretoria, and Raymond Cherry, our Departmental Research Assistant, for their invaluable assistance in the preparation of this chapter.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Forensic Medicine, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Jeanine Vellema

Authors
  1. Jeanine Vellema
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hendrik Scholtz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeanine Vellema .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Surgery, Div. Traumatology &, University of Pennsylvania Medical Ctr., Spruce St. 3400, Philadelphia, 19104, Pennsylvania, USA

    Adam J. Brooks

  2. , Academic Department of Military Surgery, Frimley Park Foundation Trust, Surrey, GU16 7UJ, United Kingdom

    Jon Clasper

  3. Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Institute of Research & Development, Acad. Dept. of Military Surgery & Trauma, Vincent Drive, Birmingham, B15 2SQ, United Kingdom

    Mark Midwinter

  4. Birmingham Research Park, Acad. Dept. of Military Emergency Med., Vincent Drive, Birmingham, B15 2SQ, United Kingdom

    Timothy J. Hodgetts

  5. Inst. Research & Development, Dept. Military Anaesthesia, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SQ, United Kingdom

    Peter F. Mahoney

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vellema, J., Scholtz, H. (2011). Forensic Aspects of Ballistic Injury. In: Brooks, A., Clasper, J., Midwinter, M., Hodgetts, T., Mahoney, P. (eds) Ryan's Ballistic Trauma. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-124-8_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84882-124-8_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84882-123-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84882-124-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation