title: Coins as intermediate targets: reconstructive analysis with synthetic body models.
abstract: The phenomenon of intermediate targets is well known in wound ballistics. In forensic science, models are used to reconstruct injury patterns to answer questions regarding the dynamic formation of these unusual injuries. Soft-tissue substitutes or glycerin soap and ordnance gelatin have been well established. Recently, based on previous experiences with artificial bone, a skull-brain model was developed. The goal of this study was to create and analyze a model-supported reconstruction of a real forensic case with a coin as an intermediate target. It was possible not only to demonstrate the "bullet-coin interaction," but also to recreate the wound pattern found in the victim. This case demonstrates that by using ballistic models, gunshot cases can be reproduced simply and economically, without coming into conflict with ethical guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC/Rockville, MD, USA. michael.thali@irm.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Thali
authors.forename: Beat P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Kneubuehl
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Smirniotopoulos
authors.forename: A Charles
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Godwin
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jurrus
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mallak
mesh_terms: D044709:Forensic Ballistics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008954:Models, Biological; D009717:Numismatics; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology