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Experimental Effect of Shots Caused by Projectiles Fired from Air Guns with Kinetic Energy Below 17 J
Author(s) -
SmędraKaźmirska Anna,
Barzdo Maciej,
Kędzierski Maciej,
Antoszczyk Łukasz,
Szram Stefan,
Berent Jarosław
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.12251
Subject(s) - projectile , kinetic energy , pericardium , gelatin , impact energy , medicine , forensic engineering , materials science , surgery , composite material , chemistry , engineering , metallurgy , physics , biochemistry , quantum mechanics
Pursuant to the P olish W eapons and A mmunitions L aw ( L egal G azette N o 53/1999 item 549 with subsequent amendments), air guns with kinetic energy of the fired projectiles below 17 J are not regarded as weapons. The aim of the study was to assess the potential effect of shots caused by projectiles of various mass and structure fired from air guns with kinetic energy below 17 J on human soft tissues. As a model of soft tissue, we used 20% gelatin blocks. After shooting, we measured the depth of gelatin block penetration by pellets fired from various distances and compared these results with autopsy findings. The results demonstrated that examined pneumatic guns may cause serious injuries, including damage to the pleura, pericardium, liver, spleen, kidneys, femoral artery, and thoracic and abdominal aorta. Experiment shown that gelatin blocks do not reflect fully the properties of the human body.