title: Discrimination of bullet types using analysis of lead isotopes deposited in gunshot entry wounds.
abstract: In order to discriminate bullet types used in firearms, of which the victims died, the authors investigated lead isotope ratios in gunshot entry wounds from nine lead (unjacketed) bullets, 15 semi-jacketed bullets, and 14 full-jacketed bullets by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. It was found that the lead isotope ratio of 207/206 in gunshot entry wounds was the highest with lead bullets, and it decreased in order from full-jacketed to semi-jacketed bullets. Lead isotope ratios of 208/206 or 208/207 to 207/206 at the gunshot entry wound were able to discriminate semi-jacketed bullets from lead and full-jacketed ones, but it was difficult to discriminate between lead and full-jacketed bullets. However, a combination of element and lead isotope ratio analyses in gunshot entry wounds enabled discrimination between lead, semi-jacketed, and full-jacketed bullets.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Anatomy, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Nara, Japan.
authors.forename: Klintean
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wunnapuk
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Minami
authors.forename: Piya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Durongkadech
authors.forename: Setsuko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tohno
authors.forename: Werawan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ruangyuttikarn
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Moriwake
authors.forename: Karnda
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vichairat
authors.forename: Pongruk
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sribanditmongkol
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tohno
mesh_terms: D005389:Firearms; D006801:Humans; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot
chemical_list: D007856:Lead Radioisotopes