Determining the range of the shot. Forensic medical characteristics and assessment of gunshot injuries: lecture Signs characteristic of a long-range shot

An important issue resolved by forensic medical examination is determining the distance of the shot. In forensic medicine, there are three shot distances:

- shot at point-blank range;

- shot from close range;

- shot from a short distance.

Shot at point blank range

- when the muzzle end of the weapon (barrel or compensator) is in direct contact with clothing or skin bodies. In this case, the muzzle end can be pressed very tightly against the body or only lightly touch it, be directed perpendicularly or at a different angle. At different options contact, the nature of the damage will be different.

Signs characterizing a point-blank shot:

1) soot and powder particles in the circumference of the wound (loose, leaky stop), bullet channel. When a weapon is fired at an angle, the gases are partially directed outside the inlet, and soot particles cover the area of ​​​​the skin located on the side of the open angle. By the location of the soot, you can determine the position of the weapon at the time of the shot;

2) rupture of the edges of the entrance hole - a variable sign, it depends on the caliber of the weapon, the size powder charge. So-called cruciate tears occur more easily where bone is close to the skin;

3) the imprint of the muzzle (brake device) - “stants mark” - an absolute sign, but not constant;

4) pronounced chemical action of gases, determined in the wound channel3.

Shot at close range

- this is a shot within the influence of additional factors (traces) of the shot. Additional gunshot marks can be detected up to an average of 1 m. Ratio individual components, such as soot and powder, allows you to more accurately determine the shot distance.

Shot from close range

shot outside the range of additional traces of the shot. If, within a close shot, the ratio of the distribution of soot, powder particles, and the action of gases allows one to navigate quite accurately at the shot distance in centimeters, then when shooting from a short distance, only in rare cases can an expert talk about a certain shot distance (for example, in the case of a blind wound ). Sometimes the absence of additional traces can be caused by a shot through an obstacle, which can mislead the investigator and expert regarding the shot distance.

In some cases, an expert can assist the investigation in determining the type (system) of weapons used. The type of weapon can be determined by the nature of the damage, by the imprint of the muzzle ("stamp mark"), by the penetration ability of the bullet, by the bullet, by the size of the gunshot wound and bone damage, by the shape and size of the powder grains, by the specific location of the soot deposits of the shot.

If there are several gunshot wounds found on the corpse, the expert resolves the question of whether these wounds were caused by one shot or several. The number of wounds may be greater than the effect of bullets, and vice versa. The first possibility usually occurs when a bullet, having pierced one part of the body, then penetrates others.

The location of the wounds with corresponding movements of the limbs along one line makes it possible to identify the possibility of them being caused by a single bullet. Several wounds from one bullet can also be observed in cases where the bullet breaks into pieces before penetrating the body, which often occurs when fired from a sawn-off shotgun, as well as when it ricochets and hits an obstacle.

This is often recognized by the peculiar shape of the entrance holes, which do not usually have a rounded contour, as well as by the detection of individual parts of the bullet in the tissue. Another possibility is the detection of multiple bullets from a single entry hole. This is observed when a bullet explodes inside the body when fired from a sawn-off shotgun.

If multiple gunshot wounds caused by several shots are detected, it is advisable to examine clothing or areas of skin with entry holes in ultraviolet rays in order to detect weapon lubricant. When firing from a cleaned and lubricated channel, more weapon lubricant is found in the area of ​​the entrance hole from the first shot than from subsequent shots.

In some cases, forensic medical examination reveals signs characteristic of causing injuries by one’s own or another’s hand. Forensic medical practice shows that injuries to certain and most dangerous areas of the body (right temporal region, heart, mouth), observed when fired at point-blank range and from a distance of several centimeters, most often occur during action own hand.

A reliable sign of the action of one’s own hand is the special additional devices installed during inspection of the scene of the incident: a rope, stick or finger is used to fire a shot from a hunting weapon lower limb, from which shoes are first removed). When one's own hand is applied to the hand in which the weapon was located, abrasions, blood splashes, particles of brain matter, tiny bone fragments, and also traces of soot are revealed.

Shot distance is the distance from the muzzle of the weapon to the surface, the affected part of the body or clothing.

There are three main shooting distances: point-blank shot, close-range shot and short-range shot.

Shot stop- a shot when the muzzle of a weapon or a compensator (a device for improving the accuracy of fire when shooting and reducing recoil) comes into direct contact with clothing or skin. In this case, the muzzle can be pressed against the body (full hermetic stop), loosely touching the entire surface of the muzzle (non-pressurized or incomplete stop) and touching the body only with the edge of the muzzle when the weapon is placed at an angle to the body. When fired at point-blank range, the first traumatic effect on the skin and underlying tissue is exerted by the pre-bullet air, the impact continues with the bullet, knocking out a fragment of the skin, and after the bullet, powder gases and other additional factors of the shot burst into the wound channel.

At full stop the weapon barrel channel directly passes into the wound channel, and all additional factors of the shot will be in the wound channel.

The entrance wound, when fully supported, has a star-shaped, less often a spindle-shaped or irregularly rounded shape, there is skin detachment along the edges of the wound, tears or tears in the skin around the entrance hole without soot, inner edges the holes and tissues of the wound channel are covered with soot, and there are other additional factors of the shot in the wound channel. The skin defect in the area of ​​the entrance wound exceeds the caliber of the firearm.

From close contact on the skin, an imprint of the muzzle end of the weapon is formed - a “shtanz mark” due to the fact that gases spreading under the skin lift it, pressing it to the muzzle end; this is also facilitated by the suction effect of the discharged space that forms in the barrel bore after the shot. The imprint of the muzzle cut on the body and on clothing is not always found, but its presence is a convincing sign of a point-blank shot. On the skin, such a mark looks like an abrasion, bruise or additional wound.

When shot in the mouth, ruptures in the corners of the mouth in the form of radial cracks, jaw fractures, and destruction of the skull and brain are observed.

One of the signs of a point-blank shot is the bright red coloration of tissue in the area of ​​the entrance hole due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin, which is formed from carbon monoxide contained in powder gases.

With incomplete, leaky stop, some of the powder gases break through between the skin and the muzzle, and soot particles settle on the skin within a radius of 4-5 cm.

With side support gases and soot burst out into the open corner area where the end of the barrel did not come into contact with the body. The exit hole on the skin when shot at point-blank range has a normal appearance.

Shot at close range (subject to additional factors)

By close distance is meant such a distance when the body is affected not only by the bullet, but also by additional factors of the shot (pre-bullet air, thermal effect of the powder charge - gases, powder grains, soot particles, powder gases, soot particles, unburnt powder, metal particles, gun lubricant, primer particles). There are three zones:

1st zone (3-5 cm.) - a zone of pronounced mechanical action of powder gases, the entrance wound is formed due to the explosive and bruising effect of powder gases, pre-bullet air and the penetrating effect of the bullet. The edges of the wound have tears, a wide ring of sedimentation ("ring of air sedimentation") due to the action of pre-bullet air; deposition around the wound of dark gray (black) soot from smokeless powder and black or dark brown black powder; particles of incompletely burned powder; scorching of vellus hair or clothing fibers (thermal effect of powder gases); traces of gun grease;

2nd zone (20-35 cm)- deposition of soot along with particles of powder grains and metal particles, the wound is formed only by a bullet. There is a deposit of soot, powder, metal particles, and gun grease around the wound.

3rd zone (150 cm)- deposition of powder grains and metal particles, the wound is formed only by a bullet, around the wound there is deposition of powder grains and metal particles.

When examining a wound and suspecting self-harm, the doctor will first be faced with the question of the distance from which the shot was fired. To answer this essential question without special knowledge, without having an idea of ​​methods for determining distance, it is impossible. Knowing how helpless doctors, non-forensic physicians and even surgeons who observe gunshot wounds almost every day are in this regard, it is necessary to point out the basic elementary signs that characterize a shot from various distances from a handgun.

In forensic practice, the following distances are distinguished from which a shot can be fired: 1) Shot at point-blank range. 2) Shot at close range. 3) Shot from not close or far distance.

All three distances can occur in self-harm.

1. When shooting at point-blank range, the weapon is placed directly to the body (or clothing). With this position of the weapon, in addition to the bullet, gases, soot and powder also act on the tissue. The effect of these components of the shot (the so-called “additional factors of the shot”) can be detected by examining the wound, as well as clothing, and is therefore evidence of a point-blank shot.

Gases escape from the barrel bore under very high pressure and, following the bullet into the bullet channel, stretch, exfoliate and tear the body tissues in the area of ​​the entrance hole (skin and underlying tissues). The strength of the gases depends on the amount of gunpowder in the cartridge, and therefore on the weapon system. When fired at point-blank range from a Nagan system revolver or a TT pistol, the effect of powder gases will be more pronounced than when fired from a Korovin system pistol. When shooting point-blank from a rifle, carbine, light machine gun the explosive action of gases will give many times greater effect than when fired from revolvers and pistols. In the same way, the depth of action of gases on fabric depends on the size of the powder charge. The greater the charge of gunpowder in the cartridge, the more widespread and deeper the gases will act. Thus, when fired from a rifle point-blank into the chest, the explosive action of the gases can even result in skin ruptures at the exit hole on the back, while when fired from a revolver or pistol, it is limited to tissue damage only in the area of ​​the entrance hole.

The effect of gases on soft tissues is especially strong when shots are fired at parts of the body where the bone is close under the skin (head, lower leg). In these cases, gases penetrating into the bullet channel behind the bullet, encountering an obstacle in the form of dense tissue (bone), spread to its surface, peel off the soft tissue, lift it and tear it. When fired at point-blank range, after the bullet, along with gases, soot and powder particles penetrate into the bullet droplet, which can be detected when examining the wound at the edges and in its depth on the bones, muscles and tendons. If the weapon was pressed tightly to the surface of the body at the time of the shot, then there may be no soot around the entrance hole, but in the depths, the wounds, along the bullet channel, the tissues will be heavily stained with soot, which is better detected after the bleeding has stopped. If the weapon is not placed closely, but at an angle or only touches the skin, then in the circumference of the wound along its edges there is a rather intense blackening of the skin from a layer of soot breaking through between the end of the barrel and the skin.

By the shape of the belt of soot around the entrance hole, you can determine the position of the weapon and the angle at which it was placed to the surface of the body at the time of the shot.

The explosive action of gases on fabric and the introduction of soot and powder particles into the bullet channel can be observed not only when fired at point-blank range, but also when fired at a distance of several centimeters (5-9), mainly when fired from a rifle.

When fired from a weapon placed close to the surface of the body, gases breaking into the bullet channel lift the skin from the inside and press it against the barrel, due to which an imprint of the muzzle, the so-called “stanzmark,” sometimes remains on the skin. Thus, the signs of a point-blank shot are:

a) tears in the edges of the inlet; b) the presence of soot and powder particles on fabrics deep in the zero channel; c) the imprint of a weapon on the skin at the entrance hole (relatively rare). Tears in the skin and the stamping mark do not always occur when fired at point-blank range. Soot and powder particles in the depths of the wound are always detected.

2. Shot at close range. Such a shot is spoken of in cases where, in addition to the bullet, the action of the so-called additional factors of the shot is also affected: gases, flame, soot and powder. When a shot is fired, powder gases escape from the barrel, simultaneously carrying soot and partially burnt or completely unburned powder particles along with them for some distance. The distance at which additional factors of the shot may affect practically does not exceed 1 meter (100 cm). The range of action of individual factors is not the same. The gases stop acting first, then the flame, soot and, finally, the powder. The weapon system is also significant. Korovin system pistols have shorter close shot ranges than a Nagan system revolver, TT pistol or rifle.

Let's analyze the effect of individual additional factors of the shot.

Gases. The effect of powder gases was described in the analysis of a point-blank shot.

Flame. The effect of flame when fired from a handgun can only take place if the cartridges are equipped with black powder. And since the cartridges modern weapons, which is in service with the army, are supplied with smokeless or low-smoke gunpowder, then the effect of flame when fired from this type of weapon at close range does not occur. This can be verified by firing a series of shots at close range from various systems weapons into flammable objects (cotton wool, tow, fabrics). The main mistake of both doctors and military investigators is that they pay all their attention to searching for traces of a burn, find a “burn” where there cannot be one, and record such a “burn” in examination reports and in medical certificates. It must be firmly established that shots at close range from a modern handgun military weapons do not cause burns or ignite tissue.

Soot. The effect of soot on fabric is at a distance of up to 20-30-35 cm, depending on the weapon system and the quality of the gunpowder. When leaving the barrel, the soot and powder particles are scattered in the form of a cone, with its base facing the direction of the bullet’s flight. As the distance increases, the base of the cone, and therefore the area of ​​blackening of the skin from soot, increases. At the same time, the intensity of soot staining of fabrics decreases. When fired at a very close distance (3-5 cm), the soot is located around the entrance hole in the form of a narrow belt of black or dark gray color. As the distance increases, the intensity of the blackening belt decreases and a light gray zone appears outside it. As the distance increases, soot staining of fabrics becomes more uniform. Against the background of the soot belt, one can observe an alternation of lighter and darker concentric circles of soot. This is explained by the fact that a column of soot, having hit the surface, then spreads along it in waves. Radial streaks of soot are explained by the influence of rifling in the bore. When the distance increases to 20-35 cm, the soot stops its effect and traces of soot disappear. Consequently, if traces of soot are found around the wound, then we can conclude that the shot was fired from a distance no further than 20-35 cm. On light-colored clothing fabrics, the effect of soot is detected much better than on skin. On dark fabrics (overcoat cloth, etc.), soot and powder particles are more difficult to distinguish.

Powders. The combustion of gunpowder in a cartridge during a shot is never complete. Some of the powders burn incompletely, while others remain completely unburned. When fired, unburned and charred powder particles fly out of the barrel along with gases and rush forward after the bullet. When fired at point-blank range, powder particles along with soot penetrate into the wound, where they can be detected. As the distance between the end of the barrel and the surface into which the shot was fired increases, the powder particles begin to dissipate, like soot, in the form of a cone, with its base facing the direction of the bullet's flight. At close range, the powder acts like small projectiles. They can penetrate the skin or bounce off it, leaving behind small reddish lesions in the epidermis. At a very close distance (3-5 cm), powder particles densely dot the skin around the entrance hole and are clearly visible against the background of soot. As the distance increases, the dispersion area of ​​the powder particles increases, and their number decreases. As the distance increases beyond one meter, the effect of the powder practically ceases.

Thus, a sign of a shot at close range is the presence of soot and powder particles around the wound.

All of the above also applies to shots through clothing or objects masking a close shot. In these cases, signs of a shot at point-blank range or at close range will be expressed on the clothing or on the object through which the shot was fired (see above).

3. Long range shot.

If the shot is fired from a distance of more than one meter, then the additional factors of the shot - gases, soot and powder - no longer have their effect, and the expert, therefore, is unable to accurately determine the distance from which the shot was fired. In his conclusion, he can only indicate that there were no signs of a shot at close range or a circumferential entry hole.

Effect of additional firing factors in some systems

modern military weapons

Data on the effect of additional shot factors for some systems of modern military weapons are as follows: 1.

Three-line rifle model 1891/30. Regular cartridges.

Ruptures of clothing fabrics, as well as skin, are possible and observed when fired from a distance of up to 10 cm.

Light gray soot is clearly visible up to a distance of 15 cm and weakly up to a distance of 25 cm. When fired from a distance of over 25 cm, the soot is no longer visible.

Powder particles are clearly visible in the circumference of the inlet hole up to a distance of 50 cm; above 50 cm and up to 100 cm, only single powder particles are found. 2.

Self-loading rifle model 1940

The self-loading rifle is equipped with a muzzle brake, which reduces the effect of recoil on the shooter's shoulder. Through the slots muzzle brake Some of the gases, and therefore soot and powder particles, escape to the sides, which explains some of the features of the action of additional factors when firing from a self-loading rifle.

Ruptures of clothing and skin fabrics are observed only when fired at point-blank range and to a much lesser extent than when fired from a rifle of the 1891/30 model.

The soot is clearly visible up to a distance of 10 cm, 15 cm and is barely noticeable at a distance of 20 cm. When fired from a distance of over 20 cm, the soot is no longer visible.

Powder particles are clearly visible up to 25 cm. At a distance of 30 to 50 cm, single powder particles can be seen around the inlet hole. From 70 to 100 cm, single powder particles are difficult to detect. When fired from a distance of more than one meter, there is no powder. 3.

Pistol - machine gun model 1940 (PPD).

Clothes and skin are torn only when fired at point-blank range.

The soot is clearly visible when fired from a distance of 15 cm; from 15 to 20 cm the soot is barely noticeable. At a distance of more than 20 cm there is no soot.

Powder particles are clearly visible up to a distance of 20 cm. At a distance of 30 cm, single powder particles are detected in the circumference of the inlet. When shooting from a distance of 50 cm and above, powder particles can no longer be detected. 4.

The 1941 model submachine gun (PPTTT) has a casing ending with a muzzle brake. There is a free gap between the muzzle cut and the front surface of the muzzle brake, so in fact, when fired at point-blank range, this weapon is placed not by the muzzle cut, but by the front surface of the muzzle brake. This explains the peculiarities of the action of IIIIIITT. As in a self-loading rifle, through the holes of the muzzle brake, some of the gases, soot and powder particles go to the sides, which is why the effect of additional factors of the shot is less pronounced than with PPD.

Tears in clothing fabrics when shot at point-blank range are either absent or very weakly expressed. It can therefore be assumed (we do not have the opportunity to verify this experimentally) that skin tears when fired at point-blank range will also be absent or very weakly expressed.

Soot is clearly visible when fired from a distance of up to 10 cm, barely noticeable at a distance of 15 cm, and absent when fired from a distance of 20 cm.

Powder particles are clearly visible up to a distance of 10 cm; single powder particles are faintly visible at shots from 10 to 20 cm and from 20 to 30 cm. At a distance of more than 30 cm there are no powder particles. 5.

Model 1930 pistol (TT)

Clothes and skin are torn only when fired at point-blank range. The breaks are the same as submachine gun and a self-loading rifle is significantly less than when fired from a three-line rifle.

Soot is clearly visible up to a distance of 15 cm, from 15 to 30 cm it is barely noticeable. When fired from a distance of over 30 cm, there is no soot.

Powder particles are clearly visible up to a distance of 20 cm. At a distance of 30 cm, single powder particles are detected. When fired from a distance of 50 cm and above, powder particles are not detected. 6.

Revolver model 1895 (Nagan)

Tears in clothing and skin fabrics are observed only when fired at point-blank range.

Soot is clearly visible at a distance of up to 15 cm; from 15 to 20 cm there are faint traces of soot. When fired from a distance of over 20 cm, there is no soot.

Shot at close range

When shot at close range, tissue damage is caused by the main and additional damaging factors.

Additional factors of a shot within close range have different effects depending on the distance between the muzzle of the weapon and the target. In this regard, a point-blank shot is distinguished, when the muzzle of the weapon at the moment of the shot is in contact with the surface of clothing or a damaged part of the body, and three conditional zones, when the muzzle at the moment of the shot is at some distance from the target object.

I – zone of predominant mechanical action of powder gases.

II – zone of pronounced action of shot soot, powder grains and metal particles.

III – zone of deposition of powder grains and metal particles.

In the first zone of a close shot, the entrance gunshot wound is formed due to the explosive and bruising effect of the powder gases and the penetrating effect of the bullet. The edges of the wound may have tears. If there are no breaks, then the wound is surrounded by a wide ring-shaped deposition (the bruising effect of gases). The action of powder gases in zone I is limited to skin damage and does not extend into the depth of the wound channel. Around the wound there is intense deposition of dark gray, almost black soot and powder grains. The area of ​​deposition of soot and powder grains increases as the distance from the muzzle of the weapon to the target at the moment of the shot increases. According to the area of ​​soot deposition, the thermal effect of powder gases may manifest itself in the form of shedding of vellus hair or clothing fibers. Around the entrance wound, when using ultraviolet rays, splashes of gun lubricant can be detected in the form of multiple luminescent small spots. The length of zone I depends on the power of the weapon used: for a Makarov pistol this zone is about 1 cm, for a Kalashnikov assault rifle with a caliber of 7.62 mm - up to 3 cm, for a rifle - about 5 cm, AK-74U - up to 12–15 cm.

In zone II of a close shot, the wound is formed only by the bullet. Soot, powder grains, metal particles, and splashes of gun lubricant are deposited around the entrance wound. As the distance from the muzzle of the weapon barrel to the target object increases, the area of ​​deposition of additional shot factors increases, and the intensity of the color of the soot decreases. For many modern handguns II, the close shot zone extends to 25–35 cm. Soot and powder grains fly in the direction opposite to the direction of the shot, settling within a radius of 30–50 cm, and sometimes 100 cm.

In zone III of a close shot, the wound is formed only by the bullet. Powder grains and metal particles are deposited around it. When fired from a Makarov pistol, these particles can be detected at a great distance - up to 150 cm from the muzzle, from a Kalashnikov assault rifle - up to 200 cm, from a rifle - up to 250 cm. On a horizontal surface, particles are found at a distance of up to 6-8 m. As the distance increases, the number of powder grains and metal particles reaching the target becomes smaller and smaller. At extreme distances, as a rule, single particles are detected.

Shot at point blank range

When fired at point-blank range at a right angle to the surface of the body, the pre-bullet air and part of the powder gases, acting compactly, pierce the skin, expand in all directions in the initial part of the wound channel, peel off the skin and forcefully press it to the muzzle end of the weapon, forming a bruise in the form of imprint, stamp. Sometimes skin breaks occur. Along with the powder gases, soot, powder and metal particles rush into the wound channel. Penetrating into the wound channel, powder gases interact with the blood and form oxy- and carboxyhemoglobin (bright red color of tissue). If powder gases reach hollow organs, then, expanding sharply, they cause extensive ruptures internal organs.

Signs of being shot at point-blank range:

1) the entrance hole on clothing and skin is star-shaped, less often angular or round;

2) a large skin defect exceeding the caliber of a firearm projectile, as a result of the penetrating effect of powder gases;

3) detachment of the skin along the edges of the entrance gunshot wound, ruptures of the edges of the skin as a result of the penetration of powder gases under the skin and their explosive action;

4) an abrasion or bruise in the form of a stamp - an imprint of the muzzle end of a weapon (stamp mark) due to the insertion of skin on the barrel, peeled off by powder gases that have penetrated and expanded under the skin (an absolute sign);

5) extensive ruptures of internal organs as a consequence of the explosive action of powder gases penetrating into cavities or hollow organs;

6) ruptures of the skin in the area of ​​the exit wound when thin parts of the body are damaged (fingers, hand, forearm, lower leg, foot) as a result of the explosive action of powder gases;

7) the presence of soot only at the edges of the entrance wound and in the depths of the wound channel due to the dense stop, making it impossible for them to penetrate into the environment;

8) light red coloration of the muscles in the area of ​​the entrance wound due to the chemical action of powder gases, which causes the formation of oxy- and carboxyhemoglobin.

When fired point-blank at a certain angle to the body surface, some of the powder gases, soot, and powder particles have a damaging effect on the surface of the skin near the wound, which leads to the formation of one-sided skin tears and eccentric deposition of soot and powder particles near the edges of the entrance gunshot wound.

Shot from close range

A sign of a shot from a short distance is the absence of soot and powder deposits around the entrance hole. The bullet creates a wound with the characteristics described above.

However, there are cases of soot deposits on the inner layers of clothing and the skin of the body covered with multi-layered clothing (Vinogradov phenomenon). Such a phenomenon of a shot from a short distance must be preceded by the following conditions:

1) the speed of the bullet at the moment of impact must be high, at least 450 m/s;

2) the distance between layers of clothing is 0.5–1.0 cm.

During flight, small zones of air turbulence are formed around the side surface of the bullet, in which soot can spread along with the projectile. This soot, when a bullet creates a hole in the surface layer of clothing, reaches the deep layers of clothing or skin and is fixed in a fan-shaped manner around the entrance hole in them.

Shot wound

After a shot, the shot charge usually flies as a single compact mass over a distance of one meter, then individual pellets begin to separate from it, and after 2–5 m the shot charge completely disintegrates. The flight range of the shot is 200–400 m. The degree of dispersion of the shot shell determines the characteristics of shot damage at different shot distances.

A point-blank shot results in a significant amount of internal damage, such as complete destruction of the head. When fired at point-blank range, extensive skin defects, an imprint of the muzzle end of the 2nd barrel, soot in the depths of the wound channel and light red coloring of the muscles are observed. If the stop is loose and at a very close distance, skin burns from the pronounced thermal effect of black powder are observed.

When fired within one meter, one entrance gunshot wound with a diameter of 2–4 cm with uneven scalloped, sooty edges is formed. At a distance of one to 2–5 m, a main gunshot entrance hole of similar size and character is formed, around which there are separate round wounds with a small skin defect, roughened and metallized edges. As the shooting distance approaches 2–5 m, the number of such wounds increases. At distances exceeding 2–5 m, only isolated small round wounds are formed from the action of single pellets. Shot wounds, as a rule, are blind.

When fired with a shotgun cartridge, damage can be caused by wads, some of which (for example, felt ones) fly up to 40 m. Wads have a mechanical, and in some cases, a local thermal effect.

Automatic burst wounds

Due to the high rate of fire, the relative position of the weapon and the victim during the automatic burst practically does not change. When shot at close range, this can lead to the formation of connected (double or triple) wounds. Gunshot injuries caused by automatic burst bullets are characterized by a complex of the following distinctive features: multiplicity, one-sided and sometimes close to each other location of entry gunshot wounds, their similar shape and size, parallel or slightly divergent direction of the wound channels, as well as the properties of entry wounds, allowing them to occur when fired from the same distance. When fired in a short burst at a distance close to the stop, the wounds are located next to one another; when fired in a long burst from a weapon that is not firmly fixed, they are scattered. When fired in bursts from a short distance, the body is hit by one, less often, two bullets.

Gunshot wounds in the broad sense of the word mean damage from all types of firearms, from explosions of ammunition (cartridges, artillery shells, mines, grenades, explosives) and their parts (capsules, fuses, detonators). The incidence of gunshot injuries depends on the number of firearms in circulation among certain population groups.

The nature of gunshot wounds depends on many reasons and, first of all, on the characteristics of the weapon and ammunition.

Firearms and ammunition.

Firearms are divided into artillery and small arms. Small arms are divided into group weapons (machine guns, mortars) and hand weapons (individual). The vast majority of gunshot wounds encountered in peacetime forensic practice are caused by hand weapons. Manual firearms divided into combat (combat rifles, carbines, submachine guns, pistols and revolvers), sports (small-caliber rifles, pistols and revolvers), hunting (single-barreled, double-barreled), special (flare pistols, starting pistols), defective (sawed-off shotguns) , homemade (self-made).

Military firearms are rifled.

Cartridges consist of a bullet, a cartridge case containing gunpowder, and a primer containing explosives. Bullets can be lead (currently used in hunting and sporting weapons), jacketed (shells made of copper, nickel silver, core made of lead), bullets special purpose(tracers, armor-piercing, explosive, incendiary), homemade. There are smokeless and smoky gunpowder. When ignited, black powder produces a lot of smoke, soot, and flame.

At the moment of firing, under the influence of powder gases formed from the ignition of gunpowder, a projectile (bullet or shot) is ejected from the bore of the weapon. In this case, the bullet receiving translational and rotational movement around its axis, sets in motion a column of air located in the barrel bore in front of the bullet. Formed compressed air when fired at very close range, it acts first on the obstacle and can cause patchy tears in clothing and skin, into which the bullet and gases following the bullet penetrate.

When fired, in addition to the bullet, the following fly out of the barrel:

1) a flame that is formed from the contact of hot gases with oxygen in the air;

2) gases;

3) soot;

4) unburned or partially burned powders;

5) metal particles erased from the bore, from the bullet, from the cartridge case, as well as those formed from the decomposition of primer products;

6) drops of gun lubricant if the weapon was lubricated.

In the case of a shot at close range, these additional factors of the shot act on the obstacle and are revealed during examination.

Upon contact with the human body, the enormous pressure of the bullet in view shock wave instantly transmitted to surrounding tissues, causing them to vibrate. Following a bullet moving in the tissues, a pulsating area is formed, significantly larger in volume than the bullet, which transmits oscillatory movements and on neighboring organs and tissues. For example, when a bullet passes through the soft tissues of the thigh near the femur, fractures are often observed. Hence, the effect of a bullet on the human body consists of direct action (impact) and the influence of energy transmitted from the side (lateral action).

When a projectile hits organs containing a liquid or semi-liquid medium, a hydrodynamic effect of the bullet is observed. The latter is that these organs (full bladder, heart in diastole, head) often rupture with gunshot wounds. The hydrodynamic effect of the projectile is due to the fact that the liquid and semi-liquid (brain) medium is practically incompressible and transmits the energy of the bullet in all directions with equal force, contributing to multiple explosions.

During the forensic medical examination of gunshot injuries, a number of questions arise. The main ones include the following:

1. Is this injury caused by a gunshot?

2. Which wound is the entry wound and which is the exit wound?

3. From what distance was the shot fired?

4. What is the direction of the bullet channel in relation to the body standing man?

5. What weapon was fired from?

Other questions often arise that arise from the essence of a particular criminal case. For example, a forensic expert is sometimes asked to determine:

1. The number of gunshot injuries and their sequence.

2. The position of the deceased and the shooter at the moment of the shot.

3. Did the victim move after the injury?

Diagnosis of a gunshot wound,

inlet and outlet.

Gunshot wounds can be through and blind. With a through wound, the bullet passes through the person’s body and leaves it, while with a blind wound, the bullet lingers in the body due to its insufficient penetration ability. Sometimes there are tangential wounds, when the bullet only touches the body, causing superficial wounds of soft tissue or forming only an abrasion.

Forensic medical diagnostics of each of the described types of gunshot injuries has its own characteristics. At the same time, the vast majority of gunshot wounds (through, blind) are characterized by certain diagnostic signs that make it possible to distinguish a gunshot wound from other wounds, and primarily from stab wounds. During an external examination of a corpse, the diagnosis of gunshot wounds is based primarily on the sectional signs of the entrance hole.

A bullet having sufficient kinetic energy, has a piercing effect, first stretching the skin in the form of a cone, and then knocking out part of it and carrying it with it into the wound canal. Thus, the bullet acts as a punch, knocking out the skin in the entry area. This phenomenon was subsequently called tissue defect or "minus tissue".

The practically described sign is determined when the edges of the wound approach each other. If the edges of the wound do not come together and do not close the wound channel, then we can talk about a tissue defect. If the edges come closer together due to skin tension, then folds form in the corners of the wound, which also indicates a tissue defect.

The shape of the inlet depends on a number of conditions. If the bullet hits the body at a right angle, the entry hole will usually be round. If the bullet enters the body at a different angle, then the entrance hole becomes oval.

When a bullet penetrates the body, it wipes along the edges of the entrance hole those particles that are on it (traces of lubricant, soot, powder soot, rust), forming a so-called wiping belt or contamination belt around the entrance hole. The latter is a grayish ring, under which a second belt is found - the sedimentation belt. Due to the extensibility of the skin, its defect in the area of ​​the entrance hole is usually 1-2 mm smaller than the diameter of the bullet.

Immediately after the injury, the basal zone is a ring of pinkish-red color, which dries out and becomes dark brown. The width of the settling belt is 1-2 mm, its shape depends on the angle of entry of the bullet. When wounded at a right angle, the belt of deposition will be uniform around the entire circumference, when the bullet enters under acute angle the belt becomes in the form of a semi-oval.

When a bullet passes through clothing, the bands of contamination and metallization on the skin may be absent. In such cases, these belts can be detected when examining clothing.

Unlike the entrance hole, a tissue defect is usually not observed in the exit hole, since the wedge-shaped effect of the bullet is manifested here. The bullet in the area of ​​the exit hole pulls the skin in front of it in the form of a cone and breaks through it at its apex. Therefore, the edges of even a large exit wound approach each other when approaching.

As for the abrasion belt (contamination) and traces of weapon lubricant, they can only be detected in the area of ​​the inlet hole and are not observed in the circumference of the outlet hole.

The outlet hole is larger than the inlet hole. The edges of the inlet hole are screwed inward, and the edges of the outlet hole appear to be slightly turned outward. However latest signs are unstable. Therefore, in some cases it is very difficult to distinguish the inlet from the outlet by the size, shape and nature of the edges. Occasionally, with one entrance hole, several exit holes are found, which may depend on the deformation of the bullet and its separation into separate fragments, which will act as independent projectiles, producing separate exit holes. This sign is constant when hiding traces of a crime, when the criminal makes notches on the tip of the bullet.

Determining the shot distance.

In forensic medicine and criminology, three shooting distances are distinguished:

1. Shot at point blank range.

2. Shot at close range

3. Shot from a long (not close) distance.

SHOT AT POINT POINT.

When fired at point-blank range, the muzzle of the weapon rests on the body. In this case, the weapon can be pressed tightly against the body (full hermetic rest), or not tightly touch the body only with the edge of the muzzle cut, when the weapon is pressed to the body at an angle (side rest).

With full support, the wound channel is, as it were, a continuation of the barrel channel, so all additional factors of the shot will be detected only when examining the wound channel (“everything is inside, nothing is outside”). Along the wound channel, powder particles, traces of soot, gun grease, and traces of metal will be detected.

If there is dense tissue under the skin, such as bone, then gases, breaking into the wound channel, spread along the surface of the bone, peeling off the muscles and periosteum from it. In this case, the skin is lifted by gases and pressed against the section, forming an imprint of the latter (stamp marks, stamp-prints).

The most consistent signs of being shot at point-blank range include tears in the skin at the entry point. These breaks are formed mainly due to pre-bullet gases escaping from the barrel.

In cases where the muzzle of the weapon is not pressed, but only touches the body with its surface, the described signs of a point-blank shot will be less pronounced. In this case, part of the powder gases breaks through between the skin and the muzzle, giving a slight coating of soot around the inlet. If at the moment of firing the weapon was pressed at an angle, then the powder gases and soot partially break out at the open corner, forming a triangular or oval area of ​​soot. Therefore, by the location of the soot in the area of ​​the entrance hole, one can judge the position of the weapon at the time of the shot.

SHOT FROM CLOSE DISTANCE.

By close distance we mean such a distance when the body is affected not only by the bullet, but also by additional factors of the shot: flame, gases, soot, powder, lubricant. As you move away from the weapon, additional factors dissipate in the form of a cone, expanding in the direction of the bullet's flight. The nature and size of the muzzle flame depend primarily on the type of gunpowder. Black (smoky) powder produces a significant flame and a lot of hot unburnt powder, which has a significant thermal effect. They can cause hair to singe, skin burns and even clothing to catch fire. There is a known case of suicide from a revolver loaded with black powder, when the shot set fire to the clothes and the sofa on which the body of the deceased was located.

The thermal effect of smokeless powder is much less pronounced. Hot powder gases, escaping from the bore, have a bruising effect, causing the formation of parchment stains. The soot formed as a result of the combustion of gunpowder spreads 20-30 cm from the muzzle of the weapon.

The shape of the smoke stain can be round or oval, depending on the angle at which the shot occurred in relation to the obstacle.

When fired, complete combustion of the gunpowder does not occur, and therefore unburnt and partially burnt powder particles fly out of the barrel and are found on the obstacle at close firing distances. They can penetrate the fabric of clothing and even pierce it. Powders can damage the epidermis, causing it to settle. Sometimes they are embedded in the skin, where they are easily detected, the so-called gunpowder tattoo. Powder particles are detected when fired from a distance of 60-70 cm (for short-barreled rifled weapons- revolvers, pistols) and up to 100 cm (for long-barreled weapons - rifles, carbines).

When firing from a lubricated weapon, additional factors include particles of gun lubricant. When shot at close range, they are found around the entrance hole.

The close shot distance depends on the weapon system, the nature of the ammunition and the degree of wear of the weapon. Almost traces of additional factors of firing cartridges with smokeless powder from small arms determined within 100 cm.

If there are no traces of additional factors of the shot, the expert indicates in the conclusion that no signs of a shot were found at close range. The absence of traces of additional factors does not mean that the shot could not have been fired at close range, since it could have occurred through some kind of barrier. For example, when shooting closely through a door held by the body of a person on the other side, additional factors will remain on the door. A similar picture can be observed with crossbows through various gaskets.

SHOT FROM A LONG DISTANCE.

A shot from a long distance in forensic medicine and criminology means a shot from such a distance when only the bullet acts on the body, and additional factors of the shot (soot, powder, etc.) are not detected. For hand-held combat weapons, such a distance will begin beyond 1 m. As for the specific distance of a long-range shot (10 or 100 m), it is not possible to determine it from the autopsy data.

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