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Forensic Significance of Gunshot Impact Marks on Inanimate Objects: The Need for Translational Research
Author(s) -
Nordin Farah Addin,
Bominathan Uma Rashmika,
Abdullah Ahmad Fahmi Lim,
Chang Kah Haw
Publication year - 2020
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 - 10.1111/1556-4029.14142
Subject(s) - ammunition , forensic science , crime scene , forensic engineering , projectile , ballistics , computer science , engineering , psychology , history , criminology , archaeology , physics , quantum mechanics
Wherever an impact mark is found, either on the surface or on the recovered projectile, it is important for forensic investigators to extract useful information in solving shooting‐related cases. This article reviews a collection of works on examination of impact marks upon striking of projectiles on inanimate objects, emphasizing on the retrievable information from a shooting scene and their forensic significance in shooting event reconstruction. Literature suggested that impact marks on target surfaces and the degree of deformation on striking projectiles vary according to different combinations of ammunition and surface materials. It was noted that conditions in real‐case scenarios further differed unpredictably in comparison with controlled studies, where forensic investigation should be treated as case‐specific basis. Furthermore, the way forensic science is researched and applied operationally has to be reconsidered to reduce the gap via translational approach for more effective use of forensic evidence.