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Forensic investigation of fracture pattern on automobile laminated glass windshields made by mechanically propelled projectile

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Abstract

Any physical evidence supported by scientific proofs provides information of evidential importance. Automobile laminated glass has been considered as one of the primary and most important evidence at various crime scenes such as hit and run, shooting. Analysis of fractured windshields is therefore of distinguished forensic importance. In the presented study, shooting incident was simulated using 0.22″ (5.5 mm) Caliber air rifle to decipher the fracture characteristics on laminated automobile windshield from the forensic standpoint. Qualitative and quantitative fractographical analysis revealed significant information. Due to enhanced compressive strength, distinguished fracture characteristics were observed. Chi-square test evaluated the consistency in characteristics and categorical differences were evident in t-test. These findings could be implicated for understanding different shooting-related crime scenes which involve laminated glasses. This approach holds promising forensic relevance. Characterization of fractured windshield might provide an investigative lead to determine the cause of fracture, type of weapon used, range of fire, etc.

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Data availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study. Raw data is available with one of the authors (KSN).

Abbreviations

PVB:

Polyvinyl butyral

RN:

Round nose

mm:

Millimeter

ASP:

Anti-shatter protective

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, UP, 226007, India

    Abhimanyu Harshey

  2. Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Kolkata, 700160, India

    Kailash Singh Negi

  3. Forensic Science Laboratory, Govt. of NCT, New Delhi, 110085, India

    Sughosh Abhyankar

  4. School of Forensic Sciences, The West Bengal University of Juridical Science, Kolkata, WB, 700106, India

    Tanurup Das & Ankit Srivastava

  5. Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Bareilly International University, Bareilly, UP, 243006, India

    Md. Alim

Authors
  1. Abhimanyu Harshey
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  2. Kailash Singh Negi
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  3. Sughosh Abhyankar
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  4. Tanurup Das
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  5. Md. Alim
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  6. Ankit Srivastava
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Contributions

Conceptualization: AH, AS; Sample collection, formal analysis and investigation: KSN, Md.A, SA; Writing—original draft: KSN, Md.A; Writing–Editing and Review: AH, TD, SA; AS; Project Administration: AH; Project Supervision: AS. All the authors made significant contributions to all aspects of this research. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ankit Srivastava.

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Harshey, A., Negi, K.S., Abhyankar, S. et al. Forensic investigation of fracture pattern on automobile laminated glass windshields made by mechanically propelled projectile. Glass Struct Eng 8, 443–453 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40940-023-00222-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40940-023-00222-3

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