Wound morphology in contact shots from blank cartridge handguns: a study on composite models

Abstract

It is a well-known fact that blank cartridge guns can cause penetrating and even fatal injuries when discharged in contact or at very close ranges. In these cases, the gas jet perforates the skin leaving an entrance wound similar to that from a conventional gun. In order to investigate the wound morphology in contact shots from blank firearms, test shots were fired at composite models of pig skin and gelatin blocks using three different calibre 9-mm blank cartridge handguns (two pistols and one revolver) and two types of ammunition. It turned out that the penetrating gas jet produced roundish skin defects resembling bullet entrance holes. Small skin particles from the perforation site were dispersed in the underlying simulant where radiating cracks containing greyish gunshot residues indicated the original expansion of the inrushing combustion gases. Apart from the size of the permanent entrance hole in the skin and the final position of the displaced tissue particles, the penetration depth of the gas jet was determined. Under the specified conditions of the test shots, the zone of mechanical destruction within the simulant was 2.2 to 6.1 cm in length, which illustrates the injuring potential of contact shots inflicted with blank cartridge handguns.

Penetrating Lung Injury Caused by a Close-range Blank Cartridge: Case Report

“…From a ballistic aspect, BCs act as low-energy weapons, mostly in civilian use. The differential diagnosis between conventional ammunition and BC injury is very complex and almost impossible (2,4,5). This was the case in our report.…”

“…When a BC is fired, the gas jet that emerges in an explosion in the barrel acts as a bullet at close or contact range. This pressure or invisible bullet can be powerful enough to penetrate the soft tissue and even bones (2,5). Considering the skin defect and the entrance wound in our case, we think that a 9 mm cartridge was used, although we did not have any ballistic information because the criminal and gun could not be seized.…”

“…Contrary to their production purpose, BCs have become very popular in society and amongst criminals due to their low prices, being easily available, being easily transformed into firearms and their uncertain legal status. Therefore, morbidity and mortality due to BCs are increasing (2). Several cases have been presented in the literature since its was first described by Hamilton in 1865 (3).…”

Interpol review of forensic firearm examination 2016-2019

“…Contact shots with 9 mm Blank cartridges fired with two blank firing pistols and one revolver on pig skin and ballistic gelatin showed that the powder gases penetrated the skin and the soft tissue simulant for 2.2 to 6.1 cm. Particles of the pig skin were found in the radial cracks of the gelatin [ 167 ].…”

Nothing but hot air? – On the molecular ballistic analysis of backspatter generated by and the hazard potential of blank guns

“…Tausch et al also demonstrated the danger posed by blank ammunition to human bodies and advocated for stricter legal regulations in Germany already in 1974 [7]. More recent studies employing ballistic gelatin models with focus on wound morphology were published for instance by Schyma & Schyma [8] and Pircher et al [9]. However, systematic research involving molecular ballistic analyses of biological traces created by blank cartridge gun shots at biological targets has not been performed so far with the exception of a single study analyzing traces of backspatter inside 20 guns after fatal contact shots to the head, that included a .380 revolver described as a blank cartridge gun from which sufficient trace material for STR typing could be retrieved [10].…”