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Centerfire frangible ammunition: wounding potential and other forensic concerns
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|January 14, 1999
Summary
New frangible ammunition in 9 mm and .38 Special calibers showed wounding effects similar to standard rounds. The .223 caliber frangible bullets caused extensive fragmentation and severe wounds, hindering bullet-to-gun matching.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Ballistics
- Wound Ballistics
Background:
- Frangible ammunition is designed to break apart on impact.
- Evaluating its wounding potential and forensic traceability is crucial for law enforcement and military applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the wounding performance of newly developed copper particulate frangible ammunition in .38 Special, 9 mm, and .223 calibers.
- To determine the feasibility of matching fired frangible bullets to their originating firearm.
Main Methods:
- Live tissue analog (pig heads) were used to evaluate wounding characteristics.
- Ballistic testing was conducted across different calibers.
- Recovered bullets were examined for class and individual characteristics.
Main Results:
- Wounds from 9 mm and .38 Special frangible ammunition were comparable to conventional service ammunition.
- High-velocity .223 caliber frangible bullets fragmented extensively, causing severe tissue damage.
- Recovered 9 mm and .38 Special bullets showed class characteristics but lacked individual rifling marks for definitive gun matching.
Conclusions:
- Frangible ammunition in 9 mm and .38 Special calibers presents similar wounding severity to standard rounds.
- .223 caliber frangible ammunition causes significant fragmentation and severe wounding.
- Current frangible ammunition designs limit forensic bullet-to-gun matching capabilities.
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