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Head injuries caused by small-calibre, high velocity bullets

1973; Springer Science+Business Media; Volume: 73; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/bf01882332

0044-3433

Carl‐Johan Clemedson, Bertil Falconer, L. Frankenberg, Arne Jönsson, J. Wennerstrand,

Restraint-Related Deaths

The effect of firearm calibre and bullet velocity on head wounds were studied in anaesthetized dogs. Autopsy, radiological and microscopic studies were undertaken. It was found that the injuries inflicted by 7.62 mm ammunition with an impact velocity of 714–798 m/sec were generally less severe than those inflicted by 5.56 mm ammunition with an impact velocity of 810 to approx. 1000 m/sec. Effects of low velocity were observed when the 7.62 mm ammunition was used. Typical high velocity effects were noted with the 5.56 mm ammunition. The entrance wound generally corresponded to the size and shape of the projectile. The size of the exit wound was directly proportional to the projectile's impact velocity. Indirect (shock wave) damage to the cranium, brain and, in one case, the atlas was noted. The effects of intra- and extra-cranial projectile fragments were studied together with severe pressure effects in 4 cases. Model experiments were performed to study the pressure effects of the projectiles used. The maximum pressures measured were approximately proportional to the square of projectile velocities.