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. 2019 Jul;133(4):1121-1131.
doi: 10.1007/s00414-018-1972-8. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

The effect of military clothing on gunshot wounding patterns in gelatine

Tom Stevenson  1   2 , Debra J Carr  3   4 , Sarah A Stapley  5
Affiliations

The effect of military clothing on gunshot wounding patterns in gelatine

Tom Stevenson et al. Int J Legal Med. 2019 Jul.

Abstract

With no two gunshot wounds (GSW) being the same, novel research into wound ballistics is challenging. It is evident that the majority of previous wound ballistic research has been conducted without the presence of clothing. Whilst the effect of clothing on wound contamination has been explored, there is a paucity of literature examining the effect of clothing on GSW patterns. The aim of this study was to test the effect of Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) UK military clothing on GSW patterns within calibrated blocks of 10% by mass gelatine, using two types of ammunition commonly used in recent conflicts-7.62 × 39 mm and 5.45 × 39 mm. In total, 36 blocks were shot, 18 by each projectile type, further divided into 6 with no clothing layers (Cnil), 6 with a single clothing layer (Cmin) and 6 with maximum clothing layers (Cmax) worn on active duty. Blocks were analysed with high-speed video and dissection to capture measurements of damage, and results compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed significantly different damage measurements within blocks with Cmax for both ammunition types compared to the other clothing states. This may result in GSWs that require more extensive surgical management, inviting further study.

Keywords: AK47; AK74; Clothing; Gelatine; Gunshot; Military; Wounding.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Examples of MTP clothing used. clockwise from top left MTP trousers. top right T-shirt, UBACS, smock and brassard as worn by service personnel. bottom (i) T-shirt, (ii) UBACS, (iii) smock and (iv) brassard layers prepared for testing
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mounted sections of 7.62 mm (left) and 5.45 mm (right) projectiles
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
clockwise from top left Cnil oblique view, Cmin oblique view, Cmax side view, Cmax oblique view
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
a Temporary cavity measurement schematic. b Permanent cavity measurement schematic
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
10% gelatine (4 °C) calibration data (Stevenson 2018 current study, compared to historical data [44, 59])
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Typical fragmentation recovered from gelatine shot by a 7.62 mm projectile
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Anatomical overlay of GSW patterns—Cnil and Cmin (left) and Cmax (right)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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References

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