Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The G2 research R.I.P. fragmenting bullet—radiographic features of a recently encountered projectile

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Gunshot wounds (GSWs) are an important cause of disability and death in the USA. Although radiography is limited in its ability to detect bullet types, a projectile introduced during the last decade, the R.I.P. bullet by G2 Research, consists of a base slug connected to 6 to 8 sharp trocars designed to diverge within soft tissue following impact, resulting in what we believe to be a unique imaging appearance that can be confusing to those not familiar with this particular projectile. Furthermore, this bullet is 100% copper, which may allow for safe imaging with magnetic resonance imaging if correctly identified prior to scanning.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fowler KA, Dahlberg LL, Haileyesus T, Annest JL. Firearm injuries in the United States. Prev Med. 2015;79:5–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Chicago Police Department 2018 Annual Report. http://home.chicagopolice.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2018AnnualReport-05July19.pdf, accessed Mar 29, 2020.

  3. Pinto A, Russo A, Reginelli A, Iacobellis F, De Serafino M, Giovine S, et al. Gunshot wounds: ballistics and imaging findings. Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2018;40:25–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Hollerman JJ, Fackler ML. Gunshot wounds: radiology and wound ballistics. Emerg Radiol. 1995;2(4):171–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Rhee PM, Moore EE, Joseph B, Tang A, Pandit V, Vercruysse G. Gunshot wounds: a review of ballistics, bullets, weapons, and myths. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016;80(6):853–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. The ATFE Training and Standardization Committee, editor. Glossary of the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners. 4th ed: Montreal: Forensic Technology, Incorporated; 2002.

  7. Hanna TN, Shuaib W, Han T, Mehta A, Khosa F. Firearms, bullets, and wound ballistics: an imaging primer. Injury Int J Care Injured. 2015;46:1186–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Prat NJ, Daban JL, Voiglio EJ, Rongieras F. Wound ballistics and blast injuries. J Visc Surg. 2017;154:S9–S12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Carr DJ, Stevenson T, Mahoney PF. The use of gelatin in wound ballistics research. Int J Legal Med. 2018;132:1659–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Stefanopoulos PK, Filippakis K, Soupiou OT, Pazarakiotis VC. Wound ballistics of firearm-related injuries – part 1: missile characteristics and mechanisms of soft tissue wounding. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2014;43:1445–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bartlett CS. Clinical update: gunshot wound ballistics. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2003;408:28–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. G2 Research. https://g2rammo.com/handgun-ammunition, accessed Mar 29, 2020.

  13. Giorgetti A, Giraudo C, Viero A, et al. Radiological investigation of gunshot wounds: a systematic review of published evidence. Int J Legal Med. 2019:133–1149-58.

  14. Dedini RD, Karacozoff AM, Shellock FG, Xu D, McClellan RT, Pekmezci M. MRI issues for ballistic objects: information obtained at 1.5-, 3- and 7-Tesla. Spine J. 2013;13:815–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Ditkofsky N, Maresky HS, Steenburg S. Radically invasive projectiles—first reports and imaging features of this new and dangerous bullet. Emerg Radiol. Published online: 04 March 2020 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-020-01766-5 accessed 05 May 2020.

  16. Iverson KR, Curtis E, Brown IE, Salcedo ES, Anderson JT. New fragmenting bullet leads to unexpected injury pattern: a case report involving the radically invasive projectile. Trauma. 2019;21(1):73–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Hakki L, Smith A, Babin J, Hunt J, Duchesne J, Greiffenstein P. Effects of a fragmenting handgun bullet: considerations for trauma care providers. Injury. 2019;50(5):1143–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Joseph Keating, Section Chief of the Forensic Firearm Laboratory of the Chicago Police Department, for providing examples of the G2 Research R.I.P. bullet as well as advice.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Chicago,, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Gregory Scott Stacy

  2. Department of Radiology, Sharp Rees Stealy Medical Group, 8933 Activity Road, San Diego, CA, 92126, USA

    Stephen Thomas

Authors
  1. Gregory Scott Stacy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stephen Thomas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gregory Scott Stacy.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Stacy, G.S., Thomas, S. The G2 research R.I.P. fragmenting bullet—radiographic features of a recently encountered projectile. Skeletal Radiol 49, 1663–1668 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-020-03486-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-020-03486-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation