Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3
GUNSHOT WOUNDS
Dr. Maricel B. Peniero
March 8, 2018
OUTLINE
I. Death or Physical Injuries Brought About by Powdered
Propelled Substances
a. Penal Provisions of Laws Relative to Firearm
b. Classification of Small Firearms
c. Types of Small Firearms which are of Medico-Legal
Interest
d. Two Principal Component Parts of a Weapon
II. Cartridges or Ammunition
III. Firearm
a. Mechanism of Firearm Action
IV. Gunshot Wound May Be Suicidal, Homicidal, or
Accidental
V. Shotgun Wounds
VI. Determination of the Presence of Gunpowder and Primer
Components
VII. Firearm Identification
VIII. Gunshot Wounds in Different Parts of the Body
 Legal Medicine by Solis
Notes in blue were skipped topics during Dr. Peniero’s
lecture
DEATH OR PHYSICAL INJURIES BROUGHT ABOUT BY
POWDERED PROPELLED SUBSTANCES
1. Firearm Shot
 Injury is caused by the missile propelled by the
explosion of the gunpowder located in the
cartridge shell at the rear of the missile
 The direction of the movement of the missile is
influenced by the desire of the person firing the
firearm
 The missile may be single as in the case of a
pistol or revolver or may be of multiple shots or
pellets as in the case of a shotgun
 The cartridge shell is physically preserved after
the fire
2. Detonation of high explosives
 As in grenades, bombs, and mine explosion
 Explosion of the gunpowder inside the metallic
container will cause fragmentation of the
container
 Each fragment or shrapnel is moving with
certain velocity without any predetermined
direction
FIREARM WOUND
Definition of Firearm
1. Technical Definition
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
 An instrument used for the propulsion of a
projectile by the expansion force of gases
coming from the burning of gunpowder
2. Legal Definition
 Includes rifles, muskets, shotguns, revolvers,
pistols, and all other deadly weapons from
which a bullet, ball, shot, shell, or other missile
may be discharged by means of gunpowder or
other explosives
 Also includes air rifles except such as being of
small caliber and limited range are used as toys
PENAL PROVISIONS OF LAWS RELATIVE TO FIREARM
 Sec. 2692, Revised Administrative Code (1934):
Unlawful manufacture, dealing in acquisition,
deposition, or possession of firearms, or
ammunitions therefor, or instrument used or
intended to be used in the manufacture of firearms
or ammunition.
 Sec. 2690, Revised Administrative Code (1934):
Selling of firearms to unlicensed purchaser.
 Sec. 2691, Revised Administrative Code (1934):
Failure of personal representative of deceased to
surrender firearm.
 Above provisions are now repealed by:
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4An Act to Amend Section
2692of the Revised Administrative Code, and
to Exempt from Responsibility Those Who
Should Surrender Firearms Under Certain
Conditions, and for Other Purposes, Approved
July 19, 1946.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10591 or Comprehensive
Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act,
signed May 29, 2013.
Art. 155, Revised Penal Code:Alarms and scandals.
 The penalty of arresto menor or a fine not
exceeding P200 pesos shall be imposed upon:
1. Any person who within any town or public
place, shall discharge any firearm, rocket,
firecracker, or other explosives calculated to
cause alarm or danger;
2. Any person who shall instigate or take an active
part in any charivari or other disorderly meeting
offensive to another or prejudicial to public
tranquility;
Page 1 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
3. Any person who, while wandering about at grooves which run parallel with one another,
night or while engaged in any other nocturnal but twisted spirally from breech to muzzle.
amusements, shall disturb the public peace; or e.g. military rifle

4. Any person who, while intoxicated or

otherwise, shall cause any disturbance or
scandal in public places, provided that the
circumstances of the case shall not make the
provisions of Article 153 applicable.

Art. 254, RPC: Discharge of firearms

 Any person who shall shoot at another with any
firearm shall suffer the penalty of prision
correccional in its minimum and medium periods,
unless the facts of the case are such that the act can
be held to constitute frustrated or attempted
parricide, murder, homicide or any other crime for As to MANNER OF FIRING:
which a higher penalty is prescribed by any of the a) Pistol – firearm which may be fired only by a
articles of this Code. single hand
e.g. revolver
CLASSIFICATION OF SMALL FIREARMS b) Rifle– firearm which may be fired from the
Small firearms shoulder
e.g. shotgun
 those propel projectile of less than one inch in
diameter
As to the NATURE OF THE MAGAZINE:
a) Cylindrical Revolving Magazine Firearm - the
As to WOUNDING POWER:
cartridge is located in a cylindrical magazine
a) Low Velocity Firearm - firearms with muzzle
which rotates at the rear portion of the barrel.
velocity of not more than 1,400 feet per second
e.g. revolver, pistols e.g. revolver

Glock 19

b) High Power Firearm– firearms with muzzle

velocity of more than 1,400 feet per
second;usual muzzle velocity is 2,200 to 2,500
feet per second or more
e.g. military rifle
b) Vertical or Horizontal Magazine– the cartridge
is held one after another vertically or
horizontally and also held in place by a spring
side to side or end to end;
e.g. automaticpistol

AK-74

As to the NATURE OF THE BORE:

a) Smooth Bore Weapon – has the inside portion
of the barrel that is perfectly smooth from the
firing chamber to the muzzle.
e.g. shotgun
b) Rifled Bore Firearm– firearm with the bore of
the barrel with a number of spiral lands and
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte Page 2 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero

TYPES OF SMALL FIREARMS WHICH ARE OF 4. SHOTGUN

MEDICO-LEGAL INTEREST
1. REVOLVER
 A firearm which has a cylindrical magazine
situated at the rear of the barrel, capable of
revolving motion and which can accommodate
five or six cartridges; each of which is housed in
a separate chamber.
 Usual muzzle velocity of ~600 ft/s.
Kinds of Revolver as to Construction or Mechanism:
 A firearm whose projectile is a collection of lead
pellets which varies in sizes with the type of the
cartridge applied.
TWO PRINCIPAL COMPONENT PARTS OF A WEAPON
(In Order to Cause Injury)
1. The Cartridge or Ammunition
 A complete unfired unit consisting of bullet,
primer, cartridge case and powder charge.
2. The Firearm
 The instrument for the propulsion of a
projectile by the expansive force of gases from
a burning gunpowder.

CARTRIDGES OR AMMUNITION

The Principal Parts of a Cartridge or Ammunition are:

1. The Cartridge Case or Shell

2. Primer
3. Powder or Propellant
2. AUTOMATIC PISTOL 4. Bullet or Projectile
 A firing weapon in which the empty shell is
ejected when the cartridge is fired and a new
cartridge is slipped into the breech
automatically as a result of the recoil.
 Cartridge is contained in a vertical magazine
which holds 6-7 cartridges.
 Not automatic in action in the sense that a
continuous pressure on the trigger will not
make the firearm fire continuously.
 More correct to call it a “self-loading firearm”
 Has a usual muzzle velocity of 1,200 feet or
more per second.

3. RIFLE
 A firearm with a long barrel and butt
 May be a military rifle or a miniature rifle
 Fired from a shoulder
1. Cartridge Case or Shell
 A cylindrical structure with a base which houses
the powder, the primer at the base and with
the bullet attached at the tip
 The base is always made of metal
 Inscription at the base may show the
manufacturer, the caliber and even the date it
was manufactured

Classification:
a. Cartridge with a rim
b. Rimless Cartridge
c. Semi-rimless Cartridge
d. Belted Cartridge
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte Page 3 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero

2. Primer
 Located and sealed at the cartridge base
covered by a small disc of soft metal, which is
usually a lead-tin alloy known as percussion cap
or primer cap
 The main function is the transformation of
mechanical energy by the hit of the firing pin on
the percussion cap to chemical energy by its
rapid combustion
 The most common constituents of primer are
lead, antimony and barium

3. Gunpowder or Propellant
 The primary propulsive force in a cartridge
which when exploded will cause the bullet to be
driven forward towards the gun muzzle

Different types of powder propellant used:

a. Black powder – a mixture of potassium nitrate
(75%), sulfur (15%) and charcoal (10%)
b. Smokeless powder
 Single Base – when it contains either cellulose
nitrate and nitroglycerine
 Double Base – when the powder is composed
of both cellulose nitrate and nitroglycerine
c. Semi-smokeless powder – a mixture of 80%
black and 20% of the smokeless powder and
causes development of less flame and less
powder residue as compared with black powder
b. As to presence or absence of a jacket:
 Naked Lead Bullet– without outer coating
 Jacketed Bullet – with external coating
usually copper, nickel, steel or zinc
Classification:
a. Full jacketed Bullet
b. Semi-jacketed Bullet

4. Bullet (Slug, Missile, Projectile)

 The metallic object attached to the free end of
the cylindrical tip of the cartridge case,
propelled by the expansive force of the
propellant, and responsible in the production of
damages in the target

Classification:
a. Shape of the free end
 Conical – tapering and pointed
 Hemispherical – dome-like and commonly
observed in short firearms
 Wad-cutter (Square nose) – flattened;
commonly used in target practices
 Hollow-point – there is a depression at the
tip to expand or “mushroom” at impact on
hard object
Special Bullets
 Armour Piercing Bullet – made of steel with
copper coating (jacket)
 Phosphorus Flare or Tracer Bullet – consists of
an aluminum tip and is packed with incendiary
(phosphorus) which burns during flight
 Plastic Bullet – used for target practice
 Bullet with Plastic Sabot
 Bullet with Secondary Explosion
 Soft Point Bullet

Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte Page 4 of 22

Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
FIREARM Classification of Firearm Based on Trigger Mechanism:
Important Parts of a Firearm:
 The trigger with the firing pin 1. Relation of Cocking and Trigger Pressure
 The barrel  Single Action Firearm – the firearm is first
manually cocked then followed by pressure on
Other parts of a firearm: the trigger to release the hammer (e.g. Home-
 Handle or butt – portion of the firearm used for made “paltik”)
handling it; it may house the magazine  Double Action Firearm – a pressure applied on
 Firing Chamber – the place where the cartridge the trigger will both cock and fire the firearm by
is held in position before the fire mechanism release of the hammer (e.g. Standard Revolver)
starts
 Breechblock – the steel block which closes the 2. Number of Shots on Pressure on the Trigger
rear of the bore against the force of the charge  Single Shot Firearm – a pull or pressure on the
*breech face – the face of this block which trigger will cause only one shot (e.g. Revolver)
comes in contact with the base of the cartridge  Automatic Firearm – a continuous pressure on
 Trigger Guard the trigger will cause a series of shots until the
 Front and Rear Sight trigger pressure is released (e.g. Machine gun)
 Safety Device like safety lock
 Sling Trigger pressure
 The amount of force (pressure) on the trigger
Additional parts found in a self-loading firearm: necessary to fire a gun
 Extractor – the mechanism by which the spent  Its determination is necessary in the assessment
shell or ammunition is withdrawn from the of whether the firing can possibly be accidental
firing chamber
 Ejector – the mechanism by which the empty Approximate trigger pressures of
shell or ammunition is thrown from the firearm certain types of firearms
a. Shotgun 4 lbs.
b. Self-loading pistol 3 to 4 lbs.
c. Revolver 3 to 5 lbs.
d. Service rifle 6 to 7 lbs.
e. Single action firearm 3 ½ to 10 lbs.
f. Double action firearm 6 to 18 lbs.

“Hair trigger”
 A vague term used when the firearm trigger
pressure is 1 lb. Or less
 It is intrinsically unsafe and should only be used
under rigorously controlled situations because
of the possibility of unintended or accidental
fire
 Almost no resistance

The Trigger with The Firing Pin
 A part of the firearm which causes firing
mechanism
 Pressure on the trigger – the commencement of
the whole firearm mechanism
 Trigger guard – surrounds the trigger to avoid
accidental firing
Barrel
1. Riflings
 A series of parallel spiral grooves on the whole
length of the inner surface of the barrel
 Becomes an important factor in the
identification of firearms
Purposes:
a. to have a strong barrel grip on the bullet
b. to stabilize its movement

Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte Page 5 of 22

Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
c. to impart a rotational movement on the bullet  When a bullet or shell or both has been
recovered and a suspected firearm has been
‫٭‬ the inner surface of a shotgun and that of a home- found in the possession of the person, the
made gun is smooth while single shot standard procedure is to fire the suspected firearm at a
firearms are with riflings recovery box and compare the shell and bullet in
the comparison microscope with the one in
question.

How to Determine the Caliber of Firearm:

Caliber –the diameter of the barrel between two lands

American Caliber English Caliber Continental Caliber
in mm
.22 in .220 in 5.6
.25 in .250 in 6.5 (6.35)
Gun manufacturers vary the way the riflings are .28 in .280 in 7.0
imprinted in the inner surface of the barrel on the .30 in (.32 Rev.) .300 in (.303) 7.65
following aspects: .32 in .320 in 8.0
.35 in .350 in 9.0
.38 in .360 in 9.3
(1) Number – the number of lands and grooves
.38 in .370 in 9.5
varies from 2 – 12; (High velocity firearms – 4-6 .38 in-.40-.41 in .410 in 10.0
grooves) .405 in 10.5
 Microgrooves rifling– multiple shallow .44 in .440 in 11.0
grooves seen in some firearms .45 in .450 in 11.25
(2) Twist or Rate – the expression for one complete
turn of the rifling on a certain length of the
barrel
 1:12twist rate when there is one complete
spiral groove in 12 inch of the barrel
a. Fast twist – when the number of the inches
of the barrel required for a complete turn is
small, like 1:8
b. Slow twist – when a greater number of
inches in the barrel is necessary to have
once complete turn, like 1:14
(3) Direction – direction of the rifling may either be
right (clockwise) or left (counterclockwise)
(4) Width of the Groove and Land
 Width of the groove varies with the
manufacturer and caliber
 Some have the width of the groove
different with that of the land while others
are the same or equidistant

BULLET CHARACTERISTIC:
 A bullet or shellshows individual or accidental
characteristics which are determinable only
after manufacture
These characteristics are brought about by:
a. Failure of a tool in its normal operation
b. Wear, abuse, mutilation, corrosion, erosion
or other fortuitous cases
c. Imprinted in the bullet or shell and may be
used for identification purpose
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte Page 6 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero

MECHANISM OF FIREARM ACTION Where: M = mass (weight)

 Firearm is cocked and ready to fire. V = velocity
 A pull on the trigger will cause the firing pin of the G = gravity
hammer to hit the percussion cap of the cartridge
(which is aligned with the rear portion of the  Tissue damageof a bullet of a very high velocity
barrel). is very much greater than those with much
 Generation of sufficient heat capable of igniting the less velocity.
primer  The damage caused by a bullet with impact
 Primer will ignite the gunpowder or propellant velocity similar to muzzle velocity is greater
 Evolution of gases under pressure and temperature than when the impact occurred at a reduced
speed after the bullet has travelled a distance.
 Marked expansion of gases will force the projectile
forward with certain velocity
Bullet Efficiency
 Projectile will produce a spinning movement
 The cartridge powder charge can be burned in
as it comes out of the muzzle
approximately 0.00001 second.
 Bullet passes out of the barrel together with the
 The conversion rate by the combustion of the
high-pressured heated gases, unburnt powder
gunpowder to bullet energy is about 30–32%.
grains with flame and smoke
The loss of some energies from the gunpowder
Recoil of the firearm – the backward movement or kick
explosion may be due to:
which in an automatic firearm causes the cocking
a. Loss of energy to force the bullet out of the
and the empty shell thrown out by the ejector
cartridge case, rifling and friction in the barrel.
 may cause accidents if gun is not gripped tightly
b. Heating of the barrel and chamber.
c. Escape of some of the compressed gases at the
breech and barrel.
d. Not all gunpowder are ignited.

Obturation–The sealing or prevention of gunpowder

gas after explosion from escaping so as to maintain
high pressure in the firing chamber thereby
increasing the propulsive power on the bullet.

This is maintained by:

a. Ensuring that the bullet tightly fits the bore
throughout its entire length;
b. Sealing the cartridge case to the chamber wall;
c. Preventing leakage between the primer cap and
its retaining wall in the cartridge
Things Coming Out of the Gun Muzzle After Firing:
1. Bullet Ballistics Coefficient
2. Flame  The ability of the bullet to maintain its velocity
3. Heated, compressed and expanded gas against air resistance
𝑴
4. Residues 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑪𝒐𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 (𝑪) =
𝒊𝒅𝟐
Bullet’s Kinetic Energy Where: C = ballistic coefficient
 Energy associated with motion M = mass
 In ballistics, the wounding power of a bullet is i = form factor
due to the mass (weight) and its velocity, with d = diameter
the velocityplaying a very important role
 The larger the coefficient, the more efficientis
𝑴𝑽𝟐 the bullet or projectile
𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝑬𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 =
𝟐𝑮
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte Page 7 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
 The better the ballistic coefficient of a bullet,
the less velocity loss it will suffer over a given
resistance.
Movements of the Bullet as it Moves Out of the
Muzzle:
a. Forward Movement
 The velocity depends upon the propulsion
created by the ignition of the propellant.
b. Spinning Movement
 Due to the passage of the bullet at the
spiral landings and groovings of the barrel.
 The ratio depends on the twist and length
of the barrel.
c. Tumbling Movement (End-over-end Rotation)
 The bullet may be rotating on the long axis
of its flight while the nose and the base are
alternating ahead in its flight.
 Accounts in instances when bullet hits the
skin with its base.
d. Wabbling Movement (Tailwag)
 The rear end of the bullet may vibrate
vertically or sideways in its flight.
 May cause hitting the target sideways
e. Pull of Gravity
 The bullet goes downward on account of
the pull of the force of gravity.
 The bullet losses its kinetic energy and the
pull of gravity becomes dominant until it
falls on the ground.
Flame
Ignition of the propellant  the production of flame
 conical in shape
 vertex located at the gun muzzle
 does not go beyond the distance of 6 inches
 Causes scorching or burning of the skin and
searing of the hair at the target in a very near
shot.
 contact fire– the edges of the wound of entry
may be burned
Heated, Compressed and Expanded Gases
Ignition of the gunpowder  production of heat and
gas
 propels the bullet to move forward
 The volume of the gas generated – dependent
on the nature and quantity of the propellant
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
 muzzle blast– the sudden release of the
expanded gas from the muzzle following the
bullet
Smoke (Soot, Smudging, Fouling, Smoke Blackening)
 One of the byproducts of complete combustion
of the gunpowder and other elements with the
propellant
 Light, almost black, and lack sufficient force to
penetrate the skin
 Merely deposited on the target and readily
wiped off
 May be seen with a distance of up to 12 inches
Smudging wound
 Near the entrance – infers a near shot
 Shape– may be useful in determining the
trajectory
o Circular shape deposition – typical of a
perpendicular approach of the bullet
o Elliptical – acute angle approach of the bullet
Powder Grains
 Consists of the unburned, burning and partially
burned powder together with graphite which
come out of the muzzle
 Leaves the barrel with appreciable velocity
since it is relatively heavier than smoke
 In close range, they penetrate the dermal and
epidermal layers of the skin and may cause
hemorrhage
 Microcontusions may be observed around the
punctured area
Tattooing (stippling, peppering) – produced by powder
grains around the gunshot wound of entrance in a
near shot; may be seen up to a distance of 24
inches
* As the distance of the gun muzzle to the target
increases, the area of destruction increases, but the
density of tattooing decreases.
Powder Burns
 A term commonly used by physicians whenever
there is blackening of the margin of the gunshot
wound of entrance
 The blackening is due to smoke smudging,
gunpowder tattooing and to a certain extent
burning of the wound margin; the combined
effects of these elements are considered to be
powder burns
Page 8 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
 Soiling of the target– a more appropriate term
to describe the condition since such blackening
is primarily due to smoke smudging and
gunpowder tattooing
Factors Responsible for The
Injurious Effects of Missile/Bullet
1. Factors Inherent on the Missile:
a. Speed of the Bullet
 The greater the muzzle velocity, the greater
is the destruction inasmuch as more kinetic
energy can be liberated.
b. Size and Shape of the Bullet
 The bigger the diameter of the more
formed the bullet is, the greater the injuries
in the body tissues.
c. Character of the Missile’s Movement in Flight
 Spinning movement will increase the
wounding power.
 “Yawing” and stumbling movement may
cause sidewise penetration and entry and
cause more destruction.
 Ricochet may alter tissue involvement in its
course.
2. Nature of the Target:
a. Density of Target
 The greater the density of the tissue struck,
the greater will be the damage.
b. Length of tissue Involvement in its Course
 The longer the distance of travel of the
missile in the body, the more kinetic energy
it liberates, and the more destruction it will
produce.
c. Nature of the Media Traversed
 Bullet passing air spaces is less destructive
inasmuch as air is relatively compressible.
 Bullet traveling in a liquid or solid media
may accelerate transmission of force to the
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
surrounding tissue causing more
destruction.
d. Vitality of the Part Involved
 More likelihood for a fatal consequence
when vital organs are involved.
Abrasion Collar
(Contuso-Abraded Collar, Marginal Abrasion)
The pressure of the bullet on the skin will cause the
skin to be depressed and as the bullet lacerates the
skin, the depressed portion will be rubbed with the
rough surface of the bullet.
 Perpendicular approach  even width of the
collar
 Acute angle approach  abrasion collar wider
at the acute angle of approach
DESTRUCTIVE MECHANISM OF GUNSHOT:
1. Laceration and Permanent Cavity in the Bullet
Trajectory
 The pressure of the speeding bullet
produces severe pressure on the tissues
and organs causing laceration and
mechanically creates a permanent cavity.
 High velocity bullets can cause bigger
damage and a wider cavity formation.
2. Temporary Cavity
 The instantaneous radial displacement of
the soft tissues during the passage of the
bullet due to the liberation of kinetic
energy.
3. Hydrostatic Force
 When the bullet traverses organs filled with
fluid (i.e. full stomach, cerebral ventricle,
etc.), the liquid contents within the lumen
are displaced radially away from the bullet
path producing extensive laceration.
Page 9 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
 The displaced fluid acts as a secondary
projective causing destruction of tissues not
on the path of the bullet.
4. Shock Wave
 The dissipation of kinetic energy in a radial
direction perpendicular to the path of the
bullet when the bullet velocity is more than
the speed of sound (1,087 feet/second).
5. Fragmentation or Disintegration of the Bullet
 When the bullet hits a hard object (e.g.
bone) or when bullet velocity is more than
2,000 feet/second, the bullet disintegrates.
 Each fragment has sufficient kinetic energy
to cause injuries similar to the mother
bullet.
 Causes more “shocking power” or
“knockdown power” of the bullet, thus
increasing the destructive effect of gunshot.
6. Fragmentation of Hard Brittle Object in the
Trajectory
 Bone involvement (comminuted fractures)
may cause additional damage on the
surrounding tissue.
 Passage of the bullet causes a clean-cut
hole at the point of initial contact and
beveling at the point of exit.
 Beveling is due to the absence of a hard
support as the bullet leaves the bone.
7. Muzzle Blast in Contact Fire
 When gun muzzle is pressed on the skin
when fired, all of the products of
combustion primarily the muzzle blast will
penetrate the tissues causing severe
mechanical destruction on account of
pressure.
8. Other Consequential Effects on the Body of the
Victim
 Gunshot wound may be the source of
hemorrhage, infection, paralysis, shock, loss
of function, etc. which may cause disability
or death on the victim.
Gunshot Wound of Entrance
(Entrance Defect, Inshoot)
The appearance of the gunshot wound of entrance
depends upon the following:
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
1. Caliber of the Wounding Weapon
 The higher the caliber of the wounding bullet,
the greater will be the size of the wound of
entrance.
2. Characteristics Inherent to the Wound of Entrance
 Oval or circular with inverted edges
 Contusion or abrasion collar – produced when
the rough surface of the bullet comes in contact
with the skin
 In most cases, the size of the wound of
entrance is smaller than the caliber of the
wounding bullet on account of the retraction of
the connective tissues.
 Wound of exit- usually larger than the wound of
entrance; may be stellate, slit-like, cruciform or
markedly lacerated
3. Direction of the Fire
 Right angle approach – circular in shape
 Acute angle approach – oval in shape with the
contusion or abrasion collar widest on the side
of the acute angle of approach
4. Shape and Composition of the Missile
 Deformity of the bullet modifies the shape of
the wound of entrance
5. Range
 Close range fire – the injury is not only due to
the missile but also due to the pressure of the
expanded gases, flame and other solid products
of combustion
 Distant fire – produces the characteristic effect
of the bullet alone
6. Kind of Weapon
 High power weapon – more destructive effect
Gunshot entrance wound
Contact Fire
The nature and extent of the injury is caused not
only by the force of the bullet but also by the gas of the
muzzle blast, and part of the body involved
Page 10 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
Factors that must be taken into consideration:
1. The effectiveness of the sealing between the
gas muzzle and the skin.
 If all the gaseous product of combustion is
prevented from being spilled out, the more
the destructive effects on the tissues.
2. The amount of gas liberated by the combustion
of the propellant.
 The volume of gas liberated after explosion
of the propellant is dependent on the
amount and nature of the powder and
extent of powder combustion.
 The greater is the amount of gas in a
confined area, the greater will be the tissue
destruction.
3. Nature of bullet
 Bigger bullet is more destructive.
 Soft or hollow point bullet has the tendency
to flatten and causes more damage.
4. Part of the body involved
 The nature, character and extent of injury in
contact fire is different when:
(1) The bone is superficially located under
the skin; and,
(2) The bone if deeply located in loose or
soft parts of the body.
Pressed and Firm Contact Fire
1. On parts of the body where bone is superficial:
Commonly observed on the head where the skull is
just underneath the scalp
Characteristics of the injuries:
a. The wound of entrance is large, frequently star-
shaped
b. Edges of the wound may be everted
c. Areas in the entrance wound may be blackened
by burns, tattooing and smudging
d. Muzzle imprint, barrel impression present on
the skin
 Muzzle imprint– iron-like effect on the
pressed skin caused by the imprisoned gas
adding more pressure to the gun muzzle
coupled with the heat of the explosion
e. The bullet may cause radiating fracture.
f. Blood and tissue become pink due to carbon
monoxide.
g. Fragments of lead and bullet jacket may be
found.
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte

Metal fouling– scrapings of the bullet
ejected from the barrel and struck the
target causing it to lodge on the clothing or
may cause small abrasions or superficial
lacerations on the skin around the main
wound
h. Singeing of hair
2. Parts of the body where the bone is deeply
located:
Characteristics of the injuries:
a. Wound of entrance is usually large, circular and
without radiating laceration.
b. Edges are everted due to the outward slapping
of the skin.
c. Singeing of the hair, blackening of the wound
due to fouling, burn and tattooing.
d. Muzzle imprint
e. Pinkish color of the deeper structures (carbon
monoxide)
Microscopic Examination of Gunshot Wound of
Entrance:
1. In Contact or Near Contact Fire:
a. Epithelial damage and powder residue
deposit are present.
b. Massive heat may carbonize the epithelial
cells.
c. The hot bullet may produce coagulation
necrosis.
d. Basilar cells are swollen and vacuolated.
e. The corium may show thermal changes
2. In Far Distant Fire:
a. There may be a spotty deposit of powder
on skin and subcutaneous tissue.
b. There is cellular destruction along the
course of the bullet.
Page 11 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
Instances When the Size of the Wound Entrance Do
Not Approximate the Caliber of The Firearm:
 In distant fire, the rule is that the diameter of
the gunshot wound of entrance is almost the
same as the caliber of the wounding firearm
In the following instances, the rule is not followed:
1. Factors which make the wound of entrance bigger
than the caliber:
a. In contact or near fire
b. Deformity of the bullet which entered
c. Bullet might have entered the skin sidewise
d. Acute angular approach of the bullet
2. Factors which make the wound of entrance smaller
than the caliber:
a. Fragmentation of the bullet before penetrating
the skin
b. Contraction of the elastic tissues of the skin
Shotgun fire – the size of the wound of entrance is
dependent upon the distance of the fire
 Near fire causes concentration of entry of the
pellets
 As distance increases, the pellets disperse with
the individual pellets causing individual wounds
of entry
 Only in this instance may the wound of
entrance be of the same size as the gauge of
the shotgun pellets.
Other Evidences or Findings Used to Determine
Entrance of Gunshot:
When the course of the bullet is through and
through and there is difficulty in the determination as to
which is the entrance, the following may be resorted to:
1. Examination of the clothing, if involved in the
course of the bullet
 Fabric may show punch in destruction at
the site of wound entrance.
 Particles of gunpowder on the clothing near
the wound in question—true when the fire
is near.
2. Examination of the internal injuries caused by
the bullet
 Bone fragments are driven away from the
wound entrance.
 Destruction of the bone at the surface
facing the wound of entrance is oval and
with sharp edges; the surface facing the
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
wound of exit is bigger, irregular, and
beveled.
 Direction of cartilage and other soft tissues
will be driven away from the wound of
entrance.
3. Testimony of witnesses
 Testimony as to the position of the victim
and the assailant.
Determination of the Trajectory of the Bullet Inside
the Body of the Victim:
1. External Examination
a. Shape of the wound of entrance
 The wound is of entrance is circular when
the bullet is fired at right angle with the
skin—except in cases of near fire.
 Oval in shape if fired at another angle.
 No such characteristics observed when the
bullet if deformed.
b. Shape and distribution of the contusion or
abrasion collar
 The contusion (abrasion) collar is widest at
the side of the acute angle of approach of
the bullet.
 Uniform width of the collar around the
gunshot wound if the bullet hits the skin
perpendicularly—except when the bullet is
deformed or in near fire.
c. Difference in level between the entrance and
exit wounds
 The difference in height between the
wound of entrance and exit may be
determined be measuring those wounds
from the fixed references in the body (e.g.
sole of foot, drawing horizontal line across
the body).
d. By probing the wound of entrance
 Probe must be applied without too much
force as to create a new course in the soft
tissues.
 Care must be observed.
2. Internal Examination
a. Actual dissection and tracing the course of the
wound at autopsy
 Tissues involved are hemorrhagic and bone
spicules and lead particles may be seen or
felt.
b. Fracture of bones and course in visceral organs
Page 12 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
 The nature of bone fracture may show the
direction.
c. Location of bone fragments and lead particles
 Bone spicule and lead fragments go with
the flight of the bullet and may determine
the trajectory.
d. X-ray examination
 Bone spicule and lead fragments may be
observed and their exact location
determined in relation with the wound of
entrance.
3. Other Evidences to Show Trajectory
a. Relative difference in the vertical location of the
entrance from the exit in the clothing.
b. Relative position and distance of the assailant
from the victim in the reconstruction or
reenactment of the crime.
c. Testimony of witness.
Shored Gunshot Wound of Exit:
 Circular with abrasion collar at its margin
 Seen when the victim is lying on his back on a
hard object; use of tight-fitting clothes, waist
band, belt collar and brassiere
 Produced when the outstretched skin is
impaled, sandwiched and crushed between the
outgoing bullet and the unyielding object is over
the exit site
 In contrast with the entrance wound, the
supported exit wound shows a scalloped or
punched-out abrasion collar and sharply
contoured skin in between the radiating skin
lacerations marginating the abrasion.

Exit (Outshoot) Wound

 Does not show characteristic shape unlike the
wound of entrance; may be slit-like, stellate,
irregular or even similar to the wound of entrance
 Edges of the wound are everted and portions of the
inner tissues are protruding. (versus inverted
entrance wound)
 The bullet is oftentimes lodged underneath the skin.
 Bones may be involved in the trajectory and its
spicules may create additional injury to the wound
of exit.

Variation on the Shape of the Wound of Exit May Be

Attributable to:
a. The deformity of the bullet in its passage in the
body
b. The wabbling and stumbling movement of the
bullet during its course
c. Fragmentation of the missiles

The “Odd and Even Rule” in Gunshot Wounds:

If the number of gunshot wounds of entrance and
exit found in the body of the victim is even, the
presumption is that no bullet is lodged in the body,but
if the number of the gunshot wounds of entrance and
exit is odd, the presumption is that one or more bullets
might have been lodged in the body

* The rule is merely presumptive and actual inspection

and autopsy will verify the truth of the presumption.

Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte Page 13 of 22

Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
How to Determine the Number of Fires Made by the
Offender:
1. Determination of the Number of Spent Shells
2. Determination of Entrance Wounds in the Body of
the Victim
 Not all the fire made may hit the body of the
victim.
 The bullet may split and each fragment may
produce separate wound of entrance.
 The bullet may perforate a body part and make
another wound of entrance producing two
wounds of entrance.
3. Number of Shots Heard by Witnesses
Instances When the Number of Gunshot Wounds of
Entrance Is Less than the Number of Gunshot Wounds
of Exit in the Body of the Victim:
1. A bullet entering the body but split into several
fragments
2. One of the bullets might have entered a natural
orifice of the body thereby making it not visible.
3. Two or more bullets entered the body through a
common entrance
4. Pellets might have entered in a common wound
and later dispersed while inside the body
Instances When the Number of Gunshot Wounds of
Entrance Is MoreThan the Number of Gunshot Wounds
of Exit in the Body of the Victim:
1. One or more bullets are not through and through
wound the bullet is lodged in the body.
2. All of the bullets produce through and through
wounds but one or more made an exit in the natural
orifices of the body.
3. When different shots produced different wounds of
entrance but two or more shots produced a
common exit wound.
Instances When There Is No Gunshot Wound of Exit
but the Bullet Is Not Found in the Body of the Victim:
1. Bullet lodged in the gastro-intestinal tract and
expelled through the bowel, or lodged in the
pharynx and expelled through the mouth by
coughing.
2. Near fire with a blank cartridge produced a wound
of entrance but no slug may be recovered.
3. Bullet may enter the wound of entrance and upon
hitting the bone the course is deflected to have the
wound of entrance as the wound of exit.
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
Ante-Mortem vs Post-Mortem Wounds:
Problems Confronting the Forensic Physician in the
Identification of Gunshot Wounds:
1. Alteration of the Lesion Due to Natural Process
2. Medical and Surgical Intervention
3. Embalming
4. Problem Inherent to the Injury Itself
5. X-ray Examination
Clothing:
The effects of the garments on the movement of the
bullet depend upon:
1. The number of layers of fabric between the
muzzleand subjacent skin
2. Nature of the fabric which may be closely woven or
loose mesh, light or heavy, cotton or synthetic fibers
3. Muzzle-clothing distance
Examination of the External Wearing Apparel of the
Victim of Gunshot may be Significant in Investigation
because:
1. It may establish the possible range of the fire
2. It may be useful in the determination as to which
is the point of entry and of exit of the bullet.
3. It may be useful in locating the bullet.
Special Consideration on Bullets:
1. Souvenir Bullet
 Bullet has been lodged and has remained in the
body
 Its long presence causes the development of a
dense fibrous tissue capsule around the bullet
causing no untoward effect
2. Bullet Migration
 Bullet that is not lodged in a place where it was
previously located
Bullet embolism– A special form of bullet migration
when the bullet loses its momentum while
inside the chamber of the heart or inside the big
blood vessels and carried by the circulating
blood to some parts of the body where it may
be lodged; may cause sudden loss of function of
the area supplied or death of vital organs
Page 14 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
3. Tandem Bullet
 Two or more bullets leaving the barrel one after
another
 In cases of misfire or defect in the cartridge, the
bullet may be lodged in the barrel and a
succeeding shot may cause the initial and the
succeeding bullet to travel in tandem
GUNSHOT WOUNDS MAY BE SUICIDAL,
HOMICIDAL OR ACCIDENTAL
Evidence that tend to show that the Gunshot
Wound is Suicidal:
1. The shot was fired in a closed or locked room,
usually in the office or bedroom. It may be
committed in an open isolated or uninhabited place.
2. The death weapon is almost always found near the
place where the victim was found. The victim may
be seen with the grip of the firearm firmly held in
the palm of the wounding hand (cadaveric spasm).
3. The shot was fired with the muzzle of the gun in
contact with the part of the body involved or at
close range.
4. The location of the gunshot wound of entrance is in
an accessible part of the body to the wounding
hand.
5. The shot is usually solitary.
6. The direction of the fire is compatible with the usual
trajectory of the bullet considering the hand used
and the part of the body involved.
7. Personal history may reveal social, economic,
business or marital problem which the victim cannot
solve.
8. Examination of the hand of the victim may show
presence of gunpowder.
9. Entrance wound do not usually involve clothings.
10. Fingerprints of victim on the butt.
11. Search of the place where the shot took place may
reveal a suicide note which usually mentions among
other things the reason why the victim committed
suicide.
12. No disturbance in the place of death.
Russian Roulette:
 A group of persons may agree to load a revolver
with a single live cartridge and each member of
the group will cock and pull the trigger with the
muzzle pressed or directed to the temple or
towards other vital parts of the body
 The person who will pull the trigger with the
live cartridge in the firing chamber will suffer
the fatal consequence
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
 Although it may be considered suicidal because
any person who participates to such an
agreement may have the desire to commit it,
the unfortunate victim has no pre-determined
desire of self-destruction
Evidence to show that the Gunshot Wound is
Homicidal:
1. The site or sites of wound of entrance has no point
of election.
2. The fire is made when the victim is usually at some
distance from assailant.
3. Signs of struggle (defense wounds) may be present
in the victim.
4. There may be a disturbance of the surroundings on
account of previous struggle.
5. Wounding firearm usually is not found at the scene
of the crime.
6. Testimony of witnesses.
Evidence to show that the Gunshot Wound is
Accidental:
1. Usually there is but one shot.
2. There is no special area of the body involved.
3. Consideration of the testimony of the assailant and
determination as to whether it is possible to be
accidental by knowing the relative position of the
victim and the assailant.
4. Testimony of witnesses.
Points to be Considered and Included in the Report by
the Physician:
1. Complete description of the wound of entrance and
exit.
2. Location of the wound
a. Part of the body involved.
b. Distance of the wound from the midline.
c. Distance of the wound from the heel or buttock.
3. Direction and length of the bullet tract
4. Organs or tissues involved in its course
5. Location of the missile, if lodged in the body
6. Diagram, photograph, sketch or drawing showing
the location and number of wounds
Questions that the Physician is Expected to Answer
in Court:
1. Could the wound or wounds be inflicted by the
weapon presented to him?
2. At what range was it fired?
3. What was the direction of the fire?
4. May it be possible that those gunshot wounds are
self-inflicted?
5. Are there signs of struggle in the victim?
Page 15 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
6. May it be possible for the victim to fire or resist the
attack after the injury was sustained by him?
7. Did the victim die instantaneously?
8. Where was the relative position of the assailant and
the victim when the shot was fired?
Can the Caliber of the Wounding Firearm be
Determined from the Size of the Gunshot Wound of
Entrance?
 The caliber can be inferred from the diameter of
the gunshot wound.
Determination of the Length of Survival of the Victim:
1. Nature of the gunshot wound
2. Organs involved
3. Presence or absence of infection or other
complications
4. Amount of blood loss
5. Physical condition of the victim
Capacity of the Victim to Perform Volitional Acts:
 The power of the victim to perform voluntary acts
depends upon the area of the body involved,
involvement of vital organs, and the resistance of
the victim.
 Injuries which will cause incapacity to do voluntary
acts as those involving the brain and the spinal cord
definitely inhibits volitional acts.
Determination as to the Length of Time a Firearm had
been Fired:
 Physical and chemical examinations of the residue
inside the barrel – does not give a conclusive
evidence as to how long the firearm has been
discharged
Inferences may be drawn from the following:
1. Odor of the Gas Inside the Barrel
 The mixture of gases has a peculiar
characteristic odor which may be noticed
several hours after the discharge
2. Chemical Changes Inside the Barrel
 Hydrogen sulfide – one of the products of
combustion is rapidly converted to thiosulfate,
thiocyanate sulfates of potassium or sodium
3. Chemical Changes Inside the Barrel
 The absence of the peculiar characteristic odor
and the presence of thiosulfate and thiocyanate
which is increasing in amount shows that the
discharge occurred in a matter of few days
 The main difficulty in the determination is that
the length of such physical and chemical
transformation of the residue of combustion
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
from one compound to another, cannot be
definitely ascertained; it is dependent upon
several factors
4. Evidences that may be Deduced from the Wound
 approximation of the age of the wound – also
infers the time of discharge
Determining Whether the Wounding Weapon is an
Automatic Pistol or a Revolver:
Can the Direction of the Shot be Determined from the
Direction from which the Sound Came From?
 Not possible, unless the flash or the person firing
the shot is seen at the time the shot was fired.
Can the Firearm be Identified by the Sound of the
Discharge?
 It is impossible to distinguish and memorize the
report from two firearms of the same caliber
 It may be possible for a person who is accustomed
to the sounds of firearms of different calibers to
identify the firearm by the sound produced
X-ray:
 Several exposures at different angles must be made
to determine the precise location of the bullet,
trajectory, position of the slug and other injuries.
 X-ray examination may:
a. Facilitate location and extraction of the bullet
lodged
b. It will reveal fragmentation and their location.
c. It will show bone involvement like fracture.
d. It will reveal trajectory of the bullet.
e. It will show the effects of the bullet wound, like
hemorrhage, escape of air, laceration and other
injuries.
SHOTGUN WOUNDS
Shotgun – a shoulder-fired firearm having a barrel that
is smooth-bored and is intended for the firing of a
Page 16 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
charged compound of one or more round balls or 2. Choke — The diameter of the barrel at the
pellets muzzle end is smaller than the rest of the
barrel.
Classes of Shot in a Shotgun Shell a. "Improved Cylinder" — The narrowing of
1. Birdshot the barrel by 3 to 5 thousands of an inch.
 Shots are small ranging in sizes from 0.05 b. Half Choke — narrowing by 15 to 20
inch to 0.15 diameter and loaded from 200 thousands of an inch.
to 400 shots in the shell. c. Full Choke — narrowing from"35 to 40
 Commonly used for hunting fowls and other thousands of an inch.
small animals.  The lethal range is normally in an area of 30 inches
2. Buckshot in diameter at 30 to 40 yards according to the
 Shot ranges from 0.24 to 0.33 inch in degree of choking.
diameter and obviously fewer in number in
a shot. Types of Shotgun:
 A standard 12-gauge shotgun contains only  As to the Number of Barrel
nine shots. a. Single Barrel Shotgun
3. Single Projectile (Rifled Slug) b. Double Barrel Shotgun
 There is only a single shot or slug in a shell.
 As to the Manner of Firing and Reloading
Systems Employed in the Determination of the a. Bolt Action
Diameter of the Barrel of a Shotgun b. Lever Action
1. Gauge System c. Pump Action
 Determination of the number of lead balls, d. Autoloading
each fitting of the bore totals to one pound
in weight. The smaller the gauge
designation, the larger is the bore.
 If twelve balls can be made from one pound
of lead, each fitting the inside of the barrel
of a shotgun, the gun is called 12-gauge or
12-bore shotgun.
 12-gauge shotgun is the most commonly
used.
2. Expression of the Bore Diameter in Inches
 The 0.410 bore shotgun is the only shotgun
at present to be so designated.
3. Metric System
 The bore is expressed in millimeters.

Grade of Choke
 A shotgun is choked when the muzzle end of the
barrel is a diameter smaller than the rest of the
barrel.
 The main purpose of the constriction is to minimize
the dispersal of the pellet or buckshots after the
shot.
 It is based on the presence or absence of choke and
the degree of choking, that shotguns are classified
as:
1. Unchoke — The diameter of the barrel from the
rear end up to the muzzle is the same.

Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte Page 17 of 22

Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
Shotgun Wound of Entrance:
1. Contact or Near Contact Shot (not more than 6
inches)
On account of the greater quantity of
gunpowder in the shotgun cartridge, there is
relatively more damage due to muzzle blast, flame
and gunpowder at the site of the wound of
entrance as compared with rifled fire.
a. If the shot is perpendicular to the skin surface,
the wound of entrance is round; but if the shot
is made with an acute angle, the wound is oval.
b. The entrance wound is burned, the width of
which increases as the muzzle-skin distance
increases but does not exceed 6 inches.
c. Blackening due to smoke.
d. Gunpowder tattooing densely located in a
limited area.
e. Contusion of the tissue that has been blackened
by gunpowder.
f. Singeing of the hair (less than 6 inches).
g. Subcutaneous and deeper tissues are severely
disrupted.
h. Blood and other tissues along the bullet tract
shows presence of carbon monoxide.
i. Wad or its fragments together with shot
(pellets) may be recovered from the bullet tract.
2. Long Range Shot (> 6 inches skin-muzzle distance)
a. 2 to 3 feet muzzle skin distance – single wound
of entry
b. 3 to 4 feet – wound of entry is usually serrated
or scalloped circumference (“rat hole”)
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
c. 5 to 6 feet – the wad tends to produce an
independent injury usually an abrasion at the
vicinity of entry of the shots
d. 6 feet – the shots begin to separate from the
conglomerate shot
e. 10 feet – each shot already produces
independent wounds of entry
 Billiard ball ricochette effect – a phenomena
where there is a tendency for one shot to
strike another causing change of the shot
course, apparent as the shot begins to
separate from one another
f. Smudging due to smoke may be observed up to
15 inches
g. Gunpowder tattooing may be detected up to 24
inches
h. In an unchoked shotgun, to estimate the
muzzle-target distance, the following rule must
be applied:
Measure the distance between the two farthest
shot (pellets) in inches and subtract one, the number
thus obtained will give the muzzle-target distance in
yards.
DETERMINATION OF THE PRESENCE OF
GUNPOWDER AND PRIMER COMPONENTS
Importance of Determining the Gunpowder on the
Skin of the Victim:
1. Determination of the distance of the gun muzzle
from the victim’s body when fired:
 Distribution of the gunpowder – more at the
upper portion of the wound of entrance due to
the upward position of the muzzle of the gun
when fired
 Presence of gunpowder at or near the wound of
entrance – shows that the gun muzzle when
fired is not more than 24 inches
 Absence of gunpowder – does not preclude
near fire because other factors might have
intervened
2. Determination whether a person has fired a firearm:
 Dorsum of the hand – the ones examined to
determine the presence of gunpowder
 When a person fires a gun, the powder particles
which escape may cling on the dorsum of the
hand
 In a discharged gun, two types of residues are
liberated:
a. Metallic residues from the primer
Page 18 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
b. Particles of burned, burning and unburned
gunpowder (propellant)
Procedures in Determining the Presence of
Gunpowder:
1. Gross Examination or Examination with the Use
of Hand Lens:
 Fine black particles of varying sizes: may be
seen at the region of the gunshot wound of
entrance, on the dorsum of the hands or at
the outer surface of the wearing apparel of
the victim
2. Microscopic Examination:
 Fine black particles may be magnified
3. Chemical Tests
a. Laboratory Test to Determine Firearm Residues
 Minute particles of burning and unburned
gunpowder residues and the primer
constituents.
Tests for the Presence of Powder Residues:
(Usually not done anymore because more sophisticated
chemical tests exist)
1. On the Skin (dorsum of the hand or site of the
wound of entrance)
 Dermal Nitrate Test
 The back of the fingers and of the hand up
to the region of the wrist is coated
with melted paraffin, heated at a
temperature of 150º F
 Use of Lung’s reagent
 The presence of small particles containing
either nitrate or nitrite will be indicated by
a blue reaction of the particles upon
contact with Lung’s reagent.
2. On Clothings (Especially colored ones)
 Walker’s Test
 A glossy photographic paper is fixed
thoroughly in a hyposolution for 20 minutes
to remove all the silver salts and then
washed for 45 minutes and dried
 If unburned powder grains are present, it will
result to the production of dark red or orange-
brown spots on the prepared paper.
Tests for the Presence of Primer Components:
When an individual fires a weapon, the metallic
primer residue (barium, antimony and lead) may be
deposited on the back of the hand with the residue
most likely deposited on the skin web.
1. Harrison and Gilroy Test
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
2. Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)
3. Flameless Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS)
4. Use of Scanning Electron Microscope with a
Linked X-ray Analyzer
FIREARM IDENTIFICATION
The following factors must be utilized in the
identification of the firearm used in the commission of
the crime:
1. Caliber of the Weapon
2. Fingerprints
3. Fouling of the Barrel
4. Serial Number
Restoring serial number if tampered:
a. Cleaning
b. Polishing
c. Etching
5. Ballistics Examination
Ballistics–the study of physical forces reacting on
projectiles or missiles
Forensic ballistics or firearm identification–deals
with the examination of fired bullets and
cartridge cases in a particular gun to the
exclusion of all others
Separate and Distinct Area of the Study of Ballistics:
1. Interior Ballistics (Internal Ballistics)
 Deals with the study of what happened in the
chamber and gun barrel after the pull of the
trigger
2. Exterior Ballistics (External Ballistics)
 Deals with what happened to the bullet or
projectile from the moment it leaves the gun
barrel to the moment of impact on the target or
object
3. Terminal Ballistics
 Concerns with the effect of the bullet on the
target or until it comes to rest
4. Medical Ballistics
 Concerned with the penetration, severity and
appearance of the wound due to bullet or
missile
Basic Principles Involved in Firearm Identification:
1. The quality of the metal of the firearm is very much
harder and resistant as compared with the
cartridge. The surface condition of the part of the
gun can easily be impressed on the shell or bullet.
2. Firearms have certain physical characteristics of
certain type of caliber which differentiate it from
others.
3. No two firearms can be manufactured with identical
surface characteristics.
Page 19 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
Instruments Used in Firearm Identification:
1. Comparison Microscope
 an instrument which consists of two compound
microscopes which allows comparison of two
objects by looking through a single eyepiece
2. Bullet Recovery Box
 an instrument or device for the purpose of
recovering the test bullet and shell to be
compared with the evidence bullet or shell
3. Hand lens
4. Sharp pointed instrument for scraping ID marks
5. Caliper
6. Analytical Balance
A bullet recovery box is used to obtain test fired bullets or shells
for examination and comparison to the questioned bullets or
shells. Several designs are available, but all achieve the objective
of comparing bullet ballistics under controlled conditions.
Types of markings on the Examination through the
Comparison Microscope
Comparing two bullets
using a comparison
microscope.
1. Impression Type Mark (Stamp Mark)
 The forcible application of a hard surface
against a softer one leaving an impression on
the harder surface.
Example:
a. The striking of the firing pin on the
percussion cap.
b. The impact of the base of the cartridge on
the breach block of the gun.
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
2. Striation or Serration Mark
 Produced by a harder surface scraping,
dragging, sliding or slipping across a softer one
leaving a series of abrasions, serrations and
scrapes.
Example:
a. The bullet surface may show rifling marks
on its surface as it passes the spiral landings
and groovings of the inner surface of the
barrel.
b. The extractor produces striations as it slips
over the cartridge groove.
c. The ejector may cause striation markings on
the cartridge case in the process of ejection
of the spent shell.
When a cartridge is fired from a firearm, the
following marks may be found in the shell and from
the bullet.
a. Marks Found in the Shell
(1) Marks of the Firing Pin
 impressions in the percussion cap
(2) Marks from the Extractor
 Scratch impressed by the extractor
found in front of the rim of the shell
(3) Marks of the Ejector
 Mark found at the head of the shell
opposite to the extractor
(4) Marks from the Breechblock
 The impact of the shell to the
breechblock in the recoilimpresses the
ridges of the breechblock.
(5) Marks on the Cylindrical Surface of the Shell
 Brought about by the surface of the
firing chamber or by the magazine.
b. Marks Found in the Bullet:
(1) Number of Lands and Grooves
 Number of grooves, depth, and width
depend uponthe manufacturer of the
firearm.
(2) Direction of the Twist of the Rifling Marks:
 Direction of the spiral lands and
grooves may be atwist to the right or to
the left.
In the firearm identification, the examiner must
take into consideration the following:
1. Gross examination or examination with the use of
magnifying lens:
a. Caliber of the bullet, as determined by:
(1) Simple inspection
Page 20 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
(2) Weighing of the bullet
(3) Determining the diameter of the bullet
b. Presence or absence of deformity or loss of
part.
c. Presence of foreign elements.
d. Identifying marks placed by previous possessor.
2. Examination with the use of comparison
microscope:
This is in comparison between evidence shell or
bullet with the test shell or bullet.
a. Determination of the class characteristics
(1) Number of riflings
(2) Direction and rate of the rifling marks
(3) Dimension of the lands and grooves
(4) Depth of the grooves
(5) Style of the cannelure
b. Determination of the individual or accidental
characteristics
(a) Rifling of the barrel
(b) Firing pin mark
(c) Breechblock mark
(d) Extractor mark
(e) Ejector mark
GUNSHOT WOUNDS IN DIFFERENT
PARTS OF THE BODY
HEAD AND NECK
1. Cranium
 Close or near contact fire in the head:
 Marked laceration in the skin, burning and
tattooing of the surrounding skin
 Fractured skull with linear extensions
 Fire from a distance, the bullet at a right angle:
 Fracture is oval at the outer table
 Radiating linear fractures from the point of
entrance
 Grazing approach of the bullet:
 Produce an elongated depressed fracture of
the cranium
2. Brain Substance
 Usually a rugged tunnel with a diameter larger
than that of the caliber of the bullet
 With marked ecchymosis of the surrounding
area and filled with fresh and clotted blood
 Fragments of bones may be felt in the
tunneledbullet tract
 Injury of the cerebral hemispheres:
 Not immediately fatal, victim may survive
the injury
 Bullet course the medulla, pons & vital centers:
Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte
 Causes immediate death
3. Face
 May not cause serious trouble except that it
becomes a potential avenue of infection and
may cause marked deformity
4. Neck
 The bullet may pierce the front portion of the
neck and may involve the cervical portion of the
spinal cord thus causing instantaneous death if
the upper portion is involved
CHEST
1. Chest Wall
 May not cause serious trouble except that it
becomes a potential avenue of infection and
may cause marked deformity
2. Lungs
 Passage of bullet in the lungs produces a
cylindrical tunnel much larger than the
diameter of the projectile with bloody contents
and ecchymotic borders
 Pulmonary vessels are involved:
 profuse hemorrhage  death
 One lung is involved:
 profuse hemorrhage  collapse of the lung,
displacement of the heart and mediastinum
towards the uninjured side
 Marked injury to the air sacs:emphysema
 Involvement of the bigger bronchi
 asphyxia with the lung partially atelectatic
and emphysematous  aspiration
pneumonia or cerebral embolism
3. Heart
 May be circular or stellate with subepicardial
hemorrhage in the surrounding tissue
 The right ventricle is often involved because of
the large surface area of exposure in front
 Does not prevent the victim from doing
volitional acts for death is not usually
instantaneous
 Wound of the auricle:
 More rapidly fatal as compared with the
wound of the ventricle on account of the
thickness of the musculature of the latter
which produces temporary closure of the
wound
 Death – due to loss of blood or tamponade
Page 21 of 22
Block XIX | Legal Medicine | Lecture 3: Gunshot Woundsby Dr. Peniero
ABDOMEN  Lower spinal cord injury – motor or sensory
 Quite frequent but not as serious as those of paralysis
the chest and head because of its amenability
to surgical operation EXTREMITIES
 In most cases, injuries are not only limited to  May show the characteristic lesion of gunshot
one organ but to several organs wounds
 Usually the wound is not so serious except
 Injury to the visceral organs: when itinvolves the principal blood vessels and
 May not be found along the course of the nerves
bullet on account of their mobility and their  Involvement of the bony tissue:
capacity to change their forms  Produces comminuted fracture of the bone
 Involvement of the vertebral column: and deflection of the course of the bullet
 May cause injury to the spinal cord  Septic infection, thrombosis, hemorrhage,
 Injury to the mesenteric vessels, aorta, vena deformity
cava and other big abdominal vessels:  Not unusual after effects
 Laceration  severe hemorrhage
 Injury to the liver and other parenchymatous REFERENCES
abdominal organs:
 May cause stellate perforations which are Legal Medicine by Solis
usually larger than the caliber of the bullets
that cause them
 Profuse hemorrhage
 Injury to the stomach and other hollow organs:
 Usually small on account of the contractility
of the walls
 The wound of entrance is smaller than the
wound of exit
 Injury to the viscus:
 Usually multiple and with less hemorrhage
except when it involves the mesenteric
vessels
 Timely surgical intervention may prevent
untoward complications
 May cause death due to peritonitis

SPINE AND SPINAL CORD

 Injury to the spine may not involve the spinal
cord, but injury of the spinal cord may be due
to:
a. The bullet may directly affect the canal and
the spinal cord causing either partial or
complete severance.
b. The bullet may not hit directly the spinal
cord but may cause injury in the body or
other parts of the vertebra and contusion,
concussion or compression on account of
the impact.

 Injury of the cervical spinal cord  immediate

deathbecause the vital nerve tracts may be
involved

Group No. 26 | Perez, Ponta-oy, Ponte Page 22 of 22