Elemental and Isotopic Analysis of Forensic Evidence
“Hands-on” Workshop

Florida International University – Miami , FL , U.S.A.

Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute

Partly sponsored by the Natural Isotopes and Trace Elements in CRIMinalistics and Environmental forensics (NITECRIME) network

Program Description

ABSTRACT

Gunshot wounds have been studied by civilian and military surgeons for centuries. Increased missile velocity and changes in bullet design have resulted in wounds that are not simply perforations of internal structures and organs. To systematically study these effects gelatin and clay target models have been used in research, and the results compared with clinical observations and reports. With the standardization of 10% gelatin, direct comparisons of penetration and disruption have correlated with human wounding in actual shootings. This lecture and discussion will review the physics of projectile/tissue interaction and the variation in wounding effects caused by handgun, rifle, and shotgun projectiles. The importance of penetration and the effects of bullet designs are discussed.