Gunshot Wound Examinations

[Faline]

The presence of hair can significantly affect the deposition of gunshot residue on skin.

Picture shows a victim shot with a .410 shotgun using disk-flake powder. Stippling and tattooing are visible in the areas near the neck, but in the more hair-dense areas near the top of the head there is an absence of similar gunshot residue stippling or tattooing:


Picture shows a wound caused by a flare gun that fired a homemade 12-gauge shotgun cartridge filled with screws, nuts, and other small metal objects. Although it is not known if all the satellite defects surrounding the central defect are the result of powder particles or small metal projectiles, it is clear that the victim's hair, which has been partially shaved, shielded the scalp from gunshot residue and small projectile impact. Note the difference between the upper, shaved scalp area and the forehead.




http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab/fore...l2004/research

[Sharon]

I love these educational threads

[kellyhound]

pretty effective

[**butterflylove**]

interesting

[wolfie]

Hair when burnt, tends to shrink, curl, and carbonize to ash. This would be evident in a close range blast. If they didn't save, photograph, or collect hair samples, then, that is their mistake. Shooting through hair at close range is usually apparent. Stippling of the skin would be secondary.

Good stuff Kel.

[Usotsuki]

Thanks for the lecture!

[durt]

[Pelle]

Nice

[Jere]

[Sharon]

Originally Posted by Kelly

The presence of hair can significantly affect the deposition of gunshot residue on skin.

Having dirty thoughts about 'hair' and 'residue'