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Related Experiment Videos

A shot through the window.

B R Burnett1

  • 1Forensic Science Consultants Group, Cardiff, CA 92007, USA. brburnett@compuserve.com

Journal of Forensic Sciences
|April 18, 2001
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Forensic analysis revealed that a .22 caliber bullet, likely striking a pre-cracked window, caused similar defects to those found at a crime scene. Microscopic examination confirmed glass fragments on the bullet, linking it to the window impact before fatally wounding the victim.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Materials Science
  • Ballistics

Background:

  • A crime scene investigation involved determining if a bullet caused a window defect and fatally wounded a victim.
  • The window exhibited pre-existing cracks, complicating the analysis of the bullet's trajectory and impact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To ascertain if a .22 caliber bullet caused the observed window defect.
  • To determine if the same bullet that impacted the window subsequently fatally wounded the victim.
  • To simulate the crime scene window defect using test firings.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of crime scene photographs with test window defects created by .22 caliber bullets.
  • Microscopic examination (light microscopy) of a recovered .22 bullet for glass fragments.

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  • Advanced analysis using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) on test and recovered bullets.

    • Main Results:

    • Test firings produced defects similar to the crime scene window.
    • Initial light microscopy of the recovered bullet did not reveal glass fragments.
    • SEM/EDX analysis confirmed the presence of glass particles on and embedded in the recovered bullet, matching those from test bullets.
    • Bullet morphology indicated impact with the window crack, causing glass powderization.

    Conclusions:

    • The .22 caliber bullet likely struck the pre-cracked window before hitting the victim.
    • The analysis supports the conclusion that the bullet's impact with the window contributed to its characteristics and trajectory.
    • SEM/EDX is a valuable tool for identifying microscopic glass evidence on bullets in forensic investigations.