Effects of Decomposition on Gunshot Wound Characteristics: Under Moderate Temperatures with Insect Activity

Abstract

Previous studies document characteristics of gunshot wounds shortly after they were inflicted. This study was conducted to determine if the early stages of decomposition obscure or alter the physical surface characteristics of gunshot wounds, thereby affecting the quantity and quality of information retrievable from such evidence. The study was conducted in August and September, 2005 in Nova Scotia, Canada in forested and exposed environments. Recently killed pigs were used as research models and were shot six times each at three different ranges (contact, 2.5 cm, and 1.5 m). Under these test conditions, the gunshot wounds maintained the characteristics unique to each gunshot range and changes that occurred during decomposition were not critical to the interpretation of the evidence. It was concluded that changes due to decomposition under the conditions tested would not affect the collection and interpretation of gunshot wound evidence until the skin was degraded in the late active or advanced decay stage of decomposition.

Evaluation of traumatic findings in decomposed bodies in Aydin

“…Bizim olgularımızda, bu tarz bir yanlış değerlendirmeye yol açacak herhangi bir bulguya rastlanmamıştır. MacAulay ve arkadaş-larının [10] domuzlar üzerinde yapmış olduğu deneysel araştırmada, 56 güne kadar olan ateşli silah yaraların-da bozulmanın belirgin bir farklılık yaratmadığı, delillerin kaybolmadığı saptanmıştır. Bizim çalışmamız-da, ateşli silah yaralanmasına bağlı, ölümünün üzerin-den 13-14 gün geçen bir olguda, vücuttan saçma taneleri ve plastik fişek tapası çıkarılarak emanete alın-mak üzere Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı'na teslim edilmiş-tir.…”

MicroCT detection of gunshot residue in fresh and decomposed firearm wounds

“…Although it is well-known that after-death events (such as damage by animals, environmental effects, and putrefaction/ autolysis changes) may alter or obscure gunshot evidence, only a few experimental studies on the modifications of the GSR distribution after the body starts to decompose do exist [15][16][17][18].…”

Trace metal analysis by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry and x-ray K-edge densitometry of forensic samples

“…During these stages the body undergoes many changes that may alter or obscure gunshot wound evidence on skin (67). Depending on the type of environment in which the body is exposed, the insect activity on the remains, and the stage of decomposition, GSR is only detectable by SEM-EDS around the entrance wound for a short period of time (~24 hours) (63).…”

“…Only a few radiochemical and microscopic studies have been conducted regarding the analysis of gunshot wounds in decomposing remains (63,65,66,67).…”

“…Decomposition is a progressive process and can be divided into five chronological stages: fresh; bloat; active decay; advanced decay; and dry or remains (67). During these stages the body undergoes many changes that may alter or obscure gunshot wound evidence on skin (67).…”