Related Experiment Videos
Tumbling abrasions. Injuries from ricocheting bullets
D A Hawley1, J E Pless, H Palmer
1Division of Forensic Pathology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46223.
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Atypical gunshot wounds can result from tumbling bullets, causing remote abrasions distant from the entry point. This phenomenon, termed "tumbling abrasions," is explored in three case studies.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Ballistics
- Trauma Analysis
Background:
- Atypical gunshot wounds can arise from deflected or ricocheting projectiles.
- Understanding variations in wound patterns is crucial for forensic investigations.
Observation:
- A specific type of atypical entrance wound exhibits skin abrasion remote from the actual dermal penetration site.
- These remote abrasions are identified as "tumbling abrasions".
Findings:
- Tumbling abrasions are caused by bullets that destabilize and tumble after striking an intermediate object.
- The study presents three distinct cases illustrating the occurrence of tumbling abrasions.
Implications:
- Recognizing tumbling abrasions aids in reconstructing the trajectory and events preceding a gunshot injury.
- This finding enhances the analysis of ballistics evidence in forensic casework.