Comparison of Gunshot Entrance Morphologies Caused by .40-Caliber Smith & Wesson, .380-Caliber, and 9-mm Luger Bullets: A Finite Element Analysis Study

Abstract

Firearms can cause fatal wounds, which can be identified by traces on or around the body. However, there are cases where neither the bullet nor gun is found at the crime scene. Ballistic research involving finite element models can reproduce computational biomechanical conditions, without compromising bioethics, as they involve no direct tests on animals or humans. This study aims to compare the morphologies of gunshot entrance holes caused by.40-caliber Smith & Wesson (S&W), .380-caliber, and 9×19-mm Luger bullets. A fully metal-jacketed.40 S&W projectile, a fully metal-jacketed.380 projectile, and a fully metal-jacketed 9×19-mm Luger projectile were computationally fired at the glabellar region of the finite element model from a distance of 10 cm, at perpendicular incidence. The results show different morphologies in the entrance holes produced by the three bullets, using the same skull at the same shot distance. The results and traits of the entrance holes are discussed. Finite element models allow feasible computational ballistic research, which may be useful to forensic experts when comparing and analyzing data related to gunshot wounds in the forehead.

Development of a Computer System for Identity Authentication Using Artificial Neural Networks

“…Studies have shown that the algorithm of Sugeno-type gives high performance, but involves quite complex learning procedure. The obtained results correspond to the conclusions of some other researchers who studied the possibility of applying the neural network approach to the solution of various problems (Matoso et al, 2014;Xue et al, 2015;Jang, 1993). The accuracy of obtained numerical estimates is provided by using standard means of MATLAB.…”

“…Over the last few years, there have been proposed a lot of methods for face identification (Geman et al, 2015), on the basis of which, automatic systems for human faces recognition are developed: Smith & Wesson (Matoso et al, 2014) (ASID system -Automated Suspect Identification System); ImageWare (Xue et al, 2015) (system FaceID); Imagis (Grother et al, 2015), Epic Solutions (Kotwal et al, 2012), Miros (Trueface system) (Sharma et al, 2013); Vissage Technology (Vissage Gallery system) (Monroe, 2009); Visionics (FaceIt system) (Parmar et al, 2016).…”

Appearance and characteristics of the gunshot wounds caused by different fire weapons - animal model

“…In our study, we used the geometrical shape of a rhombus. Matoso et al [9] in their study have proven that different morphologies in the entrance holes are produces by three different calibers, using the same skull at the same shot distance of 10 cm. A 9 mm caliber wound was irregular and triangular, while a 10 mm caliber wound was round.…”

Deaths resulting from the use of firearms by police against motor vehicles: Study of cases in Porto, Portugal

“…This difference may be due to the loss of gyroscopic stability that occurs when the bullets strike and pass through an intermediate barrier, 18,19,13 the structure of vehicles in this case, as well as the occurrence of their flattening/deformation resulting from the same interaction. 13 Regarding the removal of bullets from the victims' bodies, this only occurred in cases 3 and 6. The lack of an exit wound is an expected result when the bullet crosses an intermediate target before hitting the victim.…”

“…When bullets strike motor vehicle structures, their behaviour will be influenced by a number of factors including their velocity, energy and construction (mass, shape and material properties), as well as the angle of incidence 10 and material they pass through (metal or glass). The terminal wound ballistics performance in the body of the occupants of the vehicles will essentially depend on the bullet's characteristics, 11,12,8 the effects arising from the interaction with the vehicle's structure, 8 the occurrence of fragmentation and/ or deformation of the bullets, 11 the amount of kinetic energy and momentum 12 with which the bullets strike human tissue, 11,13 the nature of the affected tissues 14,15 and the anatomical area and anatomical structures that are impacted. 15 The most common bullet associated with police shootings is the 9 mm Luger full metal jacket (FMJ) round nose.…”