The survival of metallic residues from gunshot wounds in cremated bone: a radiological study.
In literature, many studies have been performed in order to investigate the presence of GSR ("gunshot residue") and metallic residues in general with radiological techniques on several types of material, but the survival of metallic residues on charred samples has never been systematically performed. In this study, 31 adult bovine ribs underwent a shooting test. Every rib was shot with a single bullet, at a near-contact shooting distance, using two kinds of projectile: 17 samples were shot with a full metal-jacketed bullet and the remaining 14 with an unjacketed bullet. After the shooting test, every rib underwent a "charring cycle" in an electric oven up to 800°C. Every sample underwent radiological investigation with conventional radiography, before and after the burning process, to evaluate any changes in number and distribution of metallic residues. Radiographs showed survival of radiopaque residues in every sample, even after the charring process, especially when the bullet used was of the unjacketed type.
LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia ed Odontologia Forense, Sezione di Medicina Legale, DMU, Istituto di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Università degli Studi di Milano, V. Mangiagalli 37, Milan, Italy.
Alberto
A
Amadasi
Simone
S
Borgonovo
Alberto
A
Brandone
Mauro
M
Di Giancamillo
Cristina
C
Cattaneo
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D055700:Cremation; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D023421:Models, Animal; D011859:Radiography; D012272:Ribs / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D008670:Metals