Entrance and exit wounds of high velocity bullet: An autopsy analysis in the event of dispersing the mass rally in Bangkok Thailand, May 2010. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peonim, Vichan; Srisont, Smith; Udnoon, Jitta; Wongwichai, Sompong; Thapon, Arisa; Worasuwannarak, Wisarn
• Is Part Of: Legal medicine. Volume 23(2016)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: High velocity bullets -- Gunshot wounds -- Entrance and exit wounds -- Autopsy -- Forensic pathology; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Medical jurisprudence; Periodicals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.08.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1344-6223

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: This analysis of the forensic autopsy caseworks characterized the high velocity bullets (M-16 rifle) entrance and exit wounds from a mass rally event. It is focused on the patterns and shape of the entrance and exit wounds. 27 deceased including 32 shots of HVB were analyzed. The results reveal a variation of shapes of both entrance and exit wounds. The shape of entrance and exit wounds were also reported case by case. Abstract: Fatal mass casualties by high velocity bullets (HVBs) are rare events in peaceful countries. This study presents 27 forensic autopsy cases with 32 shots fired by 5.56 × 45 mm. HVB (M-16 rifle bullets) during the dispersing the mass rally in Bangkok Thailand, May 2010. It was found that twenty-three (71.88%) typical entrance HVB wounds had round sizes less than the bullet diameters. Most entrance wounds had microtears but no collar abrasion since a HVB has a small streamlined spitzer tip and full metal jacket. For exit wounds, there were various sizes and shapes depending on which section of wound ballistics presented when the bullet exited the body. If a bullet exited in the section of temporally cavity formation, there would be a large size exit wound in accordance with the degree of bullet yaw. This is different from civilian bullets whereby the shape looks like a cylindrical round nose and at low velocity that causes entrance wounds with a similar size to the bullet diameter and is usually round or oval shape with collar abrasion. The temporary cavity is not as large as in a HVB so exit wounds are not quite as large and present a ragged border compared to a HVB. We also reported 9 out of 32 shots (28.13%) of atypical entrance wounds that had various characteristics depending on site of injury and destabilization of bullets. These findings may be helpful to forensic pathologists and to give physicians, who need to diagnose HVB wounds, more confidence.