Definition
Firearm weapon is an instrument which discharges a missile by the
expansive force of the gases produced by the combustion of the
propellant in a closed space. Principally a firearm weapon consists of
.three parts; Barrel, Action and Grip
Riflings
are grooves (depressions) alternating with ridges (lands) that run
.spirally on the inner surface of the barrel
Rifling imparts rotational spin to the bullet along its longitudinal axis
1. Overcome the resistance of air and gravity
2. Increase in the striking velocity impact.
3. Help in the identification of the causal weapon.
* a) Pistol (Semi-automatic); having a removable magazine in the
grip storing cartridges and having a spring for autoloading. It
automatically ejects an empty cartridge and loads the next one. It
fires one cartridge with each pull of the trigger
Long rifled Weapons (Military or Service and Hunting Rifles):
firearm with a long rifled barrel.
Automatic : A firearm automatically feeds cartridges, fires,
extracts and ejects cartridge cases as long as the trigger is
fully depressed and there are cartridges in the feed system,
thus capable of discharging a succession of bullets within
seconds.
Non-rifled weapons
Shotguns (Long Smooth Barrel Weapons)
The shotgun is a firearm with a smooth long barrel designed to
fire multiple shots/pellets.
cartridge
consists of a cylinderm (case) with gun powder (propellant) inside,
missile (bullet or shots/slugs) on its top.
Percussion Cap
A small brass cylinder fitted in the center of cartridge base.
It contains highly inflammable substance that explodes when struck.
Propellant (Gun Powder)
Gun Powder burns to produce large volume of gases under pressure.
.
Smokeless powder in recent weapons safe , more potent
Projectiles (missile)
Missile is the part of the cartridge which exits the muzzle.
1. Projectiles of rifled weapons are bullets:
- Jacketed bullets.
- Its tip of the bullet is either pointed or rounded.
2. Projectiles of In non-rifled guns are: .
a) Shots vary in shape, size and number.
= b) Wads:
External wad
Internal wad
. It separates between the powders and shots/slugs to keep them in
Place.
.
Mechanism of firing
1- On pulling the trigger the firing pin is released and strikes the
percussion cap, releasing the spark of the primer and igniting the
propelling powder.
2-The burning powder produces gases& build up internal pressure.
3- The missile is forced forward with flame, smoke and unburnt
powder. All propelled out of the muzzle at the same time.
a. The flash of light „Muzzle flash‟ is seen before the sound .
b. Hot explosive gases travel to a distance of 15 cm… tears at entry.
c.Flame causes burning travels half the length of barrel.
d. Smoke causes blackening (soot) around the inlet, reaches a
distance equal to 1-1.5 the length of the barrel.
Unburnt powder particles
. cause tattooing around the inlet
Powder marks
They include burning, blackening and tattooing. They are detected
.at the inlet wound and may be blocked by hair or clothing
.They are condensed in circular or eccentric in oblique firing
: They cause the following effects
. Burning→ of cloths, skin and hairs -
.Blackening→ soot around the inlet -
Tattooing→ numerous reddish-brown to orange-red punctuate -
.lesions surrounding the inlet wound
Shots
1m Central hole 2 cm. in diameter
2m Smaller central hole with dispersion 4 cm. in diameter
3m Smaller central hole with dispersion 9 cm. in diameter
.m No central hole; full dispersion of 16 cm 4
10m Dispersion area is 60 cm. in diameter
20m The whole body is covered with shots
m The shots lose power of penetration and fall down 50
Bullets
Bullet causes a hole with no dispersion and the distance of firing is
.estimated from the degree of bullet penetration
Mechanism of Firearm Injury : Projectiles cause tissue damage by
two principal mechanisms:
1. Direct laceration of the tissues .
2. 2. Kinetic energy effect: in high velocity rifle wounds, energy
transferred to the tissue producing the “temporary cavity”.
at autopsy as a wide zone of hemorrhage around the permanent
cavity.
Characters of Firearm Injuries
1. Loss of substance:
2. Presence of two wounds inlet and exit or may be one wound.
3. Presence of Powder marks
4. Beveling in flat bones circular, regular and sloping edge wound
Types of Firearm Injuries
I. Entrance Wounds:
1-Contact Wounds (the muzzle touching the skin)
- Round or oval central defect that may be lacerated and acquire
cruciate or star due to subcutaneous expansion of gases if on bone.
The bullet abrades the skin surface to form an abrasion collar -
.Soot and powder marks -
- Surrounding tissues are pink (Carbon monoxide effect)
Muzzle imprint on skin if the weapon is firmly support -
Close Wounds .2
- Within 25 cm in short weapons and 1.5 m in long weapons
.”The wound margin shows lubricant remenant “soiling ring -
Abrasion ring : due to friction of the bullet with the skin before skin
penetration.
.Powder marks are detected burning, blackening and tattoing -
Intermediate Wounds -3
- Within 50 cm in short weapons and 3 m in long weapons.
==“soiling ring”
==Abrasion ring.
.The occurrence of tattooing is pathognomonic - -
Distant Wounds (out of tattooing range) -4
The only marks on the target are those produced by the mechanical
:action of the bullet in perforating the skin as
.”Abraded margin →“Abrasion ring -
- ‟Bullet wipe”. Or soiling ring.
- No powder mark.
Exit Wounds:
= the exit wound may not be detected
Exit wounds are usually larger than the inlets, with irregular
and everted edges with deformation of bullet.
Exit wounds show minimal loss of tissue but massive bleeding.
Exits are unusual with shotgun injuries as the shots
The bullet path may be altered by striking bone
Multiple exits may occur with single inlet because of:
- The missile may shatter bone .
- - Near firing of non-rifled weapon (shots).
