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Terminal ballistics of high velocity missiles

2002; Croatian Natural Society; Volume: 104; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

1849-0964

J Hancević, Želimir Korać, Dubravko Kelenc, Ante Hraste, Mirko Kukolj,

Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes

Background and Purpose: During the Homeland war in Croatia (1991-1995), many wounded people were treated in Croatian hospitals. This fact was the cause of interest in terminal ballistics as an explanation for the mechanisms of war wounds with repercussion on treatment. Yet, some of phenomena, which we observed in our patients, could not be explained in recent literature. So we tried to improve the knowledge in this field with our own research in the field of terminal ballistics. Material and Methods: We used the Russian AK 74 assault-rifle missile (5.45' x 39 mm) on an expenmental model. Twenty gelatine blocks were used as tissue simulants. After being fired at, gelatine blocks were filmed with a high-speed television camera. Also, computed tomography scans were made of the gelatine blocks, transferred into digital format, and analysed using computer software. Results: Bullets were not found to deform or fragment in tissue simulant. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the permanent cavity were characterised by markedly irregular shapes. Gelatine disruption in the initial 8-11 cm of the bullet path was minimal. Maximal destruction of the tissue simulant was visible between 180 and 220 mm of missile trajectory. CT scans were made of the blocks, transferred into digital format and analyzed using computer software. Area of selected cross-sections of the wound channel was calculated. Total and segmental areas of destruction of the tissue simulant and directions of the missiles showed significant variations. Conclusions; The method measured terminal ballistic phenomena of wound channel with considerable precision. It will enable measurement of effects of different weapons with implications for understanding and treatment of gunshot wounds.