Evidentiary value of the contents of hollow-point bullets.
The fortuitous recovery of material trapped within the cavity of a hollow-point bullet at autopsy was demonstrated to be of evidentiary value. Analysis of this material, as well as that from hollow-point bullets from test-firings, showed that the contents, especially if in multiple layers, could be correlated with the series of intermediate targets perforated. In the case presented, this aided investigators in determining how many bullets actually struck the victim. Frequently displaced, especially if distortion of the hollow point has occurred, this tidbit of trace evidence is worth recovering and analyzing.
Smith
O C
OC
Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee, Memphis.
Harruff
R C
RC
D000328:Adult; D003020:Clothing; D005389:Firearms; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*