Distinction between entrance and exit wounds by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tanaka, Naoko; Kinoshita, Hiroshi; Takakura, Ayaka; Jamal, Mostofa; Ito, Asuka; Kumihashi, Mitsuru; Tsutsui, Kunihiko; Kimura, Shoji; Ameno, Kiyoshi
• Is Part Of: Legal medicine. Volume 22(2016)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Gunshot wounds -- Entrance wound -- Exit wound -- Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX); Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Medical jurisprudence; Periodicals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.07.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1344-6223

Abstract

Graphical abstract: EDX spectrum of the skin samples from Case 1 (blue line, wound in anterior chest wall; red line, wound in back region). Highlights: We investigated residual elements around the gunshot wounds in two autopsy cases using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). The detection of metallic elements, such as lead, copper and antimony, may be useful for distinguish between entrance and exit wounds. Abstract: We investigated gunshot wounds in two autopsy cases using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). Lead and copper were detected in the entrance wound of one case and lead, antimony, and copper were detected in that of the other case. In the exit wounds of both cases, lead, antimony, and copper were below detection limits. These findings indicate that the detection of metallic elements, such as lead, antimony, and copper, which are found in bullets, may be useful for differentiating entrance from exit wounds using EDX.