Improved method for shooting distance estimation. Part III. Bullet holes in cadavers

B. Glattstein*, A. Zeichner, A. Vinokurov, N. Levin, C. Kugel, J. Hiss

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

An improved method to estimate firing distance on human body surfaces is described. The novel part of the method includes a chemical test in addition to the traditional visual and microscopic examinations of the gunshot wounds. This chemical test consists of a transfer of the gunpowder residues from the area of a gunshot wound to an adhesive lifter; the residues are then visualized as total nitrite after alkaline hydrolysis by the Modified Griess Test (MGT). When cadavers are in an advanced stage of decomposition or when gunshot wounds are in hairy areas, the information obtained by this chemical test can be crucial for shooting distance evaluation. In other cases it may improve the accuracy of the examination. In some cases, the results obtained by this test may assist in the discrimination between entrance and exit gunshot wounds.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1243-1249
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Forensic Sciences
Volume45
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adhesive lifter
  • Criminalistics
  • Forensic science
  • Griess reagent
  • Shooting distance

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