Determination of Firing Distance by Gunpowder Residue Concentration Analysis

Authors

  • Rosa Carrera Palao Instituto de Medicina Legal Ministerio Público Lima, Perú
  • José Raez Departamento Académico de Patología Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos Lima, Perú
  • Marco Villacorta Departamento Académico de Patología Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos Lima, Perú
  • Andrés Chavieri Departamento de Ingeniería Forense División de Criminalística Policía Nacional del Perú Lima, Perú
  • Judith Maguiña Instituto de Medicina Legal Ministerio Público Lima, Perú

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15381/anales.v60i2.4474

Keywords:

Forensic Medicine, Wounds, Gunshot, Stab

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess an appropriate diagnostic method by measurements of the gunpowder amount around the entrance hole on the skin. METHODOLOGY: Using a caliber-38 revolver with FAME bullets, and from pre-established distances, five series of gunshots were performed on clothed fragments of pigskin. Then, we verified the presence of gunpowder tattoos, both, over the skin and clothes. To determine the amount of gunpowder particles present on the skin, microphotografies of the specimens were taken. All firing distances drew a clean zone (peripheral to the bullet entrance hole); followed by the gunpowder tattoo, which were divided into three concentric areas. These areas are closely related to the firing distance and inversely related to the concentration of gunpowder particles. CONCLUSION: It´s possible to make an accurate asessment of firing distance (range: 30 to 100 cm), through the measurement of gunpowder residues around the entrance hole on the skin, as showed in microphotographies. We propose the term "target-like tattoo" for these skin images.

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Published

1999-06-14

Issue

Vol. 60 No. 2 (1999)

Section

Trabajos originales

License

Copyright (c) 1999 Rosa Carrera Palao, José Raez, Marco Villacorta, Andrés Chavieri, Judith Maguiña

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How to Cite

1.
Carrera Palao R, Raez J, Villacorta M, Chavieri A, Maguiña J. Determination of Firing Distance by Gunpowder Residue Concentration Analysis. An Fac med [Internet]. 1999 Jun. 14 [cited 2024 Jul. 17];60(2):102-9. Available from: https://revistasinvestigacion.unmsm.edu.pe/index.php/anales/article/view/4474