Destabilization and intracranial fragmentation of a full metal jacket bullet.
We report a case with an atypical entrance wound as a result of a destabilized full metal jacket bullet penetration. The destabilized bullet by an impact with the dorsal hand experiences a yawing to tumbling motion in flight. The large angle of yaw induces a larger presenting profile upon impact that contributes, associated to a rapid deceleration, to a greater mechanical force on the projectile structure and a fragmentation into core and jacket. Forensic pathologists have to be aware that the metal jacket bullet could tend to break up outside or inside the body particularly after a shooting through a target. This phenomenon induces atypical entrance wounds and atypical X-ray presentation.
Farrugia
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Institute of Forensic Medicine, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67085 Strasbourg Cedex, France. audreyfar2000@yahoo.fr
Raul
J S
JS
Geraut
A
A
Tortel
M C
MC
Ludes
B
B
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D044709:Forensic Ballistics; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000473:pathology; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*