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International Wound BallisticsAssociation WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

Editorial: The ''Rhino" Bullet: Beware of Dragons and Dunces

- Alexander Jason

Survey and Evaluation of Variables in the Preparation of Ballistic Gelatin

- Sherrie M. Post & Torrey D. Johnson

Falling Bullets: Te rminal Velocites and Penetration Studies

- Lucien C. Haag

The JFK Assassination: The Frangible or Plastic Bullet Theory Disproved

- John K. Lattimer, MD, Angus Laidlaw, Val Forgett, Eric Haubner

The Makarov Mixup: .380 Auto in the 9x18 Makarov

- Lucien C. Haag

Literature Review: Errors in The Journal of Trauma

-Martin L. Fackler, MD

VOLUME 2 1995 NUMBER 1 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 2 1995 NUMBER !

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Instructions to Authors ...... 3

Association News ...... 4

IWBA Correspondence ...... 5

Editorial

The "Rhino" Bullet: Beware ofDragons and Dunces ...... 7 - Alexander Jason

Articles

Survey and Evaluation of Variables in the Preparation ofBa llistic Gelatin...... 9 - Sherrie M. Post & Torrey D. Johnson

Falling Bullets: Terminal Velocites and Penetration Studies ...... 21 - Lucien C. Haag

The JFK Assassination: The Frangible or Plastic Bullet Theory Disproved...... 27 - John K. Lattimer, MD, Angus Laidlaw, Val Forgett, Eric Haubner, RT

The Makarov Mixup: .380 Auto in the 9x18mm Makarov ...... 33 - Lucien C. Haag

Literature Review

Errors in The Journal of Trauma ...... 40 -Martin L. Fackler, MD

1 Vo l 2, No. 1 JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

The Wound Ballistics Review welcomes manuscripts, articles, short notes and letters to the editor that contribute to the science of wound ballistics. Publication preference will lean strongly toward pertinent papers with clear practical applications. Test Results ...... 48 We invite cogent reviews of articles, books, news items, etc. Our goal is to commend good documentation as well as to point out the errors in the wound ballistics literature. The Wound Ballistics Review especially requests our readers' help in submitting Book Review short reviews which correct errors noted in the literature.

The review of all manuscripts reporting original work will be open; the names of reviewers will either appear with the "Bullet Penetration"...... 52 paper when published or will be made available upon request.

Articles are accepted only for exclusive publication in IWBA, and when published, the articles and illustrations become the property ofiWBA. When an article is selected for publication, the author(s) will be required to sign a copyright transmittal which also attests to the originality of the material submitted. Board of Directors The experiment described in any paper must represent good scientific method. Complete methodology must be presented Martin L. Fackler, MD Lucien C. Haag Alexander Jason so that the reader can duplicate the experiment exactly. Surgeon & Consultant Criminalist/Firearms Examiner Ballistics Consultant Gainesville, FL Carefree, AZ Pinole, CA Work must be based on basic solid understanding of projectile-tissue interaction. Results must be reported completely to permit meaningful comparison. In experimental animal wounds, for example, a clear and thorough quantitative description of the Torrey D. Johnson Peter H. Kokalis Douglas Lindsey, MD, DrPH observed damage must be included; i.e., was the bone fractured? Were major vessels disrupted? How big was the entrance? The Criminalist Firearms Consultant Professor of Surgery Emeritus exit? What is the appearance of the projectile path (penetration depth, size and morphology of damage to organs, etc.)? This Las Vegas, NV Phoenix, AZ Tucson, AZ information is mandatory to allow meaningful correlation of the wound reported to military as well as civilian wounds.

Duncan MacPherson Eugene Wolberg The entire paper must be expressed in language understandable to the layman. Consulting Engineer Forensic Firearms Scientist El Segundo, CA San Diego, CA SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

1. If submitting a letter or review which refutes or points out errors in another work, please provide the address of the The IWBA is an IRS 501 (c) (3) nonprofit scientific, educational, and public benefit California corporation. source (please include a copy of the article reviewed--these will be returned if requested); IWBA will notify the editor of the Contributions are tax-deductible; Tax ID# 94-3136817. The IWBA is comprised of source, pending correction, inviting a rebuttal to be published with the review if one is submitted. scientists, physicians, criminalists, law enforcement members, engineers, researchers, and others engaged or interested in the study of wound ballistics. 2. In submitting original work, the manuscript and one copy are requested ; one set of glossy illustrations is required; black & white is preferred. Author's name must be clearly identified on the title page with address and telephone number. Manuscript must be double-spaced with ample margins (at least one inch on all sides) on standard (8 112" x 11") paper. NOTE: THE PRE­ FERRED MANUSCRIPT FORM IS THE 3 112" (1.44 Meg or 720K) or 5 114" (1.2 Meg ) PC FLOPPY DISK WITH A PAPER Editor-in-Chief: Martin L. Fackler COPY. Most major PC word processors are acceptable but WordPerfect 5.0 or 5.1 is preferred. (Do not send data in Samna or Managing Editor: Alexander Jason Ami Pro format: please convert to WordPerfect or ASCII format.) Macintosh floppies are also acceptable with text in ASCII format. PLEASE DO NOT PROVIDE COMPUTER TEXT WITH SPECIAL FONTS OR LAYOUTS: PLAIN, SIMPLE TEXT WITHOUT INDENTS, TABS, LINES OR GRAPHICS. Any graphs, tables, charts, etc should be supplied as separate files and/ Journal Design & Production: A. Jason or with a clean, high-quality paper copy.

Subscription Information 3. References are to be numbered sequentially within the text and appear in the order cited at the conclusion of the article. Examples: U.S. individual and institutional subscriptions: $40 per year (or four issues). Book : Black KE, Jederberg WW. Athymic nude mice and human skin grafting. Maibach HI, Lowe JN, eds. Models in Dermatology: vol l. Basel: S Karger, 1984;226-239. Canadian Subscriptions: $48 per year. Air mail foreign subscriptions: $58 per year. Single copy sales: $20 plus $4 postage and handling for U.S. and $6 for foreign orders. Article in periodical: Fackler ML, Surinchak JS, Malinowski JA, et al. Bullet fragmentation: A major cause of tissue disruption. J Trauma 1984;24:263-266.

The WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW' The Journal of the International Wound Ballistics Association 4. Legends for all illustrations should be listed in order, double-spaced. (ISSN 1055-0305) is published by the IWBA, PO Box 70 1, El Segundo, CA 90245 5. An abstract of 150 words or less should preceed the text. Telephone (310) 640-6065, ©Copyright 1995, IWBA. All Rights Reserved.

Vo l 2, No. 1 3 Vo l 2, No. 1 2 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW Association News JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

IWBA .70 inches for the .45 ACP. On the contrary, given re­ Association News spective bullet weights of 14 7, 180, and 230 gr., impact velocities of 850 to 1000 fps, relatively flat frontal pro­ Correspondence files on the mushroomed bullets, and virtual I 00% categories. I got nearly as many letters which indicated weight retention in all instances, these figures come Membership Reorganization no clear preference but expressed unanimous strong closer to representing the maximum diameters that one The IWBA has been reorganized. It will be support for the publication of a quality journal on a could expect to obtain while still meeting the 12 inch Editor: governed by a Board of Directors. I will remain as regular and predictable basis, a minimum of twice a (30.5 em) minimum tissue penetration standard. A The article by Gary Roberts, D.D.S. entitled president and editor of the journal,but the organization year, being the first priority of the IWBA. Many ex­ good case in point is the Winchester 14 7 grain 9mm "Comparison of the Terminal Performance of 9mm, .40 will be run by a board of directors. They are : Lucien pressed the opinion that "the IWBA should be known Subsonic JHP load which has proven itself in both the S&W, & .45 ACP JHP's"1 was generally quite good, Haag, Alexander Jason, Torrey Johnson, Duncan to a much wider audience than it is now" and some laboratory and in the field to be a most satisfactory per­ but contained a few inconsistencies. On page 36, Dr. MacPherson, Peter Kokalis, Douglas Lindsey, Eugene suggested advertising as a means of helping to increase former for use against human adversaries. In a study of Roberts writes, "The Hornady 147gr #9028 "XTP" Walberg, and Martin Fackler. our membership. That is another suggestion that we 27 actual human shootings with this load conducted by and the Corbon +P 147gr load which utilizes the Hor­ The original IWBA membership structure was de­ intend to adopt: it is clear that a concerted effort to in­ Eugene J. Wolberg, Senior Firearms Criminalist for the nady 14 7 gr "XTP" bullet both had excessive signed to give some recognition to those who have crease our membership (at least tenfold for starters) is San Diego Police Crime Laboratory, the average pen­ penetration due to insufficientexpans ion." According contributed to the body of knowledge in wound ballis­ necessary of we are to accomplish our objective of in­ etration depth was 13 inches with no projectile to Table One on page 35, the average penetration in tics -- either by adding to the scholarship, or by creasing the knowledge of firearm effects in the expanding to a diameter of more than .584 inches.2 10% gelatin exhibited by the test lots of these two loads disseminating that body of knowledge. Some felt that scientific community as well as among the general In order to penetrate at least 12 inches of softtis­ was 15.2 inches (38.6 em) and 15.7 inches (39.9 em) this "elitist" membership structure hampered our populace. sue, a bullet weighing 14 7 grains with an expanded respectively. Since 18 inches (45.7 em) is currently growth. We have, five years afterour beginning, less The board of directors has voted to follow the diameter significantly greater than .60 inches would considered the top end of desirable softtissue penetra­ than 500 members. wishes of the members : the new membership qualifica­ have to possess either a more aerodynamic frontal pro­ tion in humans and is indeed stated as such on page 33, The purpose of the IWBA is advancing the scholar­ tions can be found on the last page of this issue. file than a blunt mushroom shape, or a stellate pattern the penetration results with the two test loads appear to ship of wound ballistics. As firearm illiteracy increases, Martin L. Fackler, IWBA President that would decrease the cross sectional area of the be quite satisfactory. Curiously, the Hornady .45 ACP I see an ever increasing need for this. Evaluation of the mushroom head via spaces between the extended radial 230 gr. #9096 "XTP" load tested by the author exhib­ literature, separating the good from the bad, and getting projections. In the former case the bullet's ability to ited an average penetration depth of 15.6 inches (39.5 this published in the IWBAjournal twice a year on a crush tissue relative to its diameter would be compro­ IWBA Fellows Program em), but was listed by him on page 34 (and correctly predictable basis should be, in my view, our top prior­ mised, while in the latter case the concomitant decrease so) as among the satisfactory performers in that cali­ ity (see the IWBA's statement of purpose). A recent meeting of the IWBA Board of Directors in cross sectional area would permit the bullet to pen­ has voted to establish an IWBA Fellowship. This pro­ ber. We had a successful meeting in Sacramento in etrate as deeply as a non-stellate expanded bullet of gram will provide a certification process for IWBA Even if one were to set the ceiling of acceptable March, 1994. Some think we should have a meeting smaller diameter, but with a higher likelihood of dis­ members who meet certain criteria. Successful partici­ missile penetration on the ideal maximum of 15 inches once a year. Looking at our present capacity to get rupting blood vessels and other anatomical structures pants in the program will earn the title of "Fellow of (38.1 em), test results exceeding that figure by only .2 things done I feel that one meeting every second year that the smaller diameter bullet may miss. theiWBA." or .7 inches (.5 or 1.8 em) would still be acceptable, as might be more attainable. In my view, we should have Sincerely, A Fellowship Committee has been established to they could just as likely be the result of slight batch-to­ meetings only if we can accomplish them without sacri­ Gus Cotey, Jr. determine the requirements and protocol for the pro­ batch variations in penetration resistance inherent in the ficing our first priority -- publishing a quality journal Voorhees, NJ twice a year. gram. Proposed criteria may include some or all of the test medium as they could be the result of characteris­ Those who felt that our membership structure ham­ following: publication of papers in the IWBA Journal, tics of the ammunition itself. Properly prepared REFERENCES: pered our growth suggested that we should have only significantcont ribution to the science of wound ordnance gelatin is a test medium of proven accuracy, 1. Roberts GK, Comparison of the terminal performance of 9mm, .40 S&W, & .45 ACP JHP's. Wound Ballistics Review, Vol. I, No. 4: 32-37 one membership category. I solicited comments from ballisitcs, recommendation by colleagues, and a written but its accuracy is certainly not of micrometer grade precision. 2. Wolberg EJ, Performance of the Winchester 9mm 147 grain subsonic our membership on this question: 25 letters of reply in­ examination on wound ballistic fundamentals. Please jacketed hollow point bullet in human tissue and tissue simulant. Wound dicated a clear preference -- 22 for the single direct any comments on this program to Alexander Ja­ On page 36, Dr. Roberts writes that the approxi­ Ballistics Review, Vol. I, No.I: 10-13 membership and only three for the original membership son, Chairman of the Fellowship Committee at P.O. mate minimum level of acceptable expansion is .60 Box 375, Pinole, CA 94564 inches for the 9mm, .65 inches for the .40 S&W, and

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WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW Correspondence Editorial JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

Comment: precision. And so would the government- most of the I wish to thank Gus Cotey for his perceptive comments. firing tables for .45-70 were determined by graphic and It is my job as editor to pick up the inconsistencies that he surveying methods, not by downrange chronographs, The ''Rhino Bullet:'' pointed out -- but I missed them. The hope of the writer that this can be done with Honest scientists are grateful to those who point out only two shots is pretty utopian- he seems to rely on their mistakes and oversights. They can then make the nec­ some wonderfully precise machine rest that permits the Beware of Dragons &· Dunces essary corrections and the body of knowledge improves -­ gun being inverted without sighting problems, and on that is the way science is meant to work. Our readership is perfect ammunition, We are still waiting for this gear a Alexander Jason the most knowledgeable in the world regarding the subject hundred years later. while we carry out our mission." Politicians at the fed­ of wound ballistics and we invite and value their comments In practice, graphic determination of traj ectory In December of 1994, a small article appeared in eral and state levels were quick to move on this new pointing out any oversights that we publish. Letters pointing needed lots of experimental firing. Even so, some pretty Newsweek magazine titled "Killer Bullet:" which fea­ threat. A U.S. Senator, and a Congressman announced out errors have our highest priority for publication. smart folks made some pretty serious mistakes. The ex­ tured the new "Rhino-Ammo." This article quoted the that they would propos� legislation to ban such ammu­ The last paragraph in Gus's letter reveals his excellent treme range of .30- '06 ammo was thought to be 4700 manufacturer's claim that, "Upon contact with human nition. CaliforniaAs semblyman John Burton understanding of what is going on as a bullet penetrates tis­ yards until WWI, when somebody discovered by long­ flesh,the polymer ablation rate is exceeded, which introduced legislation to outlaw the sue. His comment "Properly prepared ordnance gelatin is a range machine gun shooting that the slug never got past causes violent fracturing of the pro­ C:UNS manufacture, possession, or sale of test medium of proven accuracy, but its accuracy is cer­ 3400 yards. This bothered the experts more than some­ jectile into thousands of sharp, razor Rhino bullets. "It boggles the mind," tainly not of micrometer grade precision" also needs to be what. Things are more scientific now. like fragments. Each of these frag­ Killer Bullet he said, "that some company would stressed. I tabulated the penetration depths of the last 200 First, you have to shoot really significant groups ments become lethal shrapnel and are PON CONTACT WITH HUMAN try to figureout another way to kill BB calibration shots we did in 10% ordnance gelatin (shot mathematically- twenty or twenty-fiveround s. When hurled into vital organs, lungs, circu­ U latory-system components, the heart flesh, the polymer ablation people." Even the American Medical at 4 degrees C) at the wound ballistics laboratory at the Let­ you have determined your group center geometrically, rate is exceeded, which causes Association joined in by warning that terman Army Institute of Research: the average came out to you sandbag the rifle so the sights are pointed at your and other tissue. The wound channel violent fracturing of the projec­ is catastrophic." tile into thousands of sharp, ra­ "a surgeon removing Rhino-Ammo be 8.6± 0.4 em. This demonstrated that the penetration aiming point. The bore- line will point somewhat above zorlike fragments. Each of these from a victim is in danger from its depths we measured in our gelatin were generally accurate the group center. You look through the bore directly, if This Newsweek article initiated fragments become lethal shrap­ several weeks of hysterical reporting nel and are hurled into vital or­ razor-like fragments."' only within about± 5%. This verifies Gus's comment and you have a bolt-action or a falling block, or with are­ gans, lungs, circulatory-system The most interesting fact is that points out the problem with scientific validityone runs into flectorbore-scope, if you're working with something that by the print and television news media components, the heart and oth­ which warnedthat a "deadly new er tissues. no one had ever been shot by a Rhino when using any sharp cutoff penetration depth to evaluate has an obstruction at the rear of the receiver. You send The wound an assistant down to the target with a marking disc and form" of "flesh-tearing" bullets would channel is bullet; nor had the news media any bullets: it implies more precision than we can obtain from catastroph­ soon be on the market. The "inventor" data whatever concerninghow the ordnance gelatin -- or any other tissue simulant. Duncan direct him until you can see his disc through the bore. He ic." Or so of the Rhino-Ammo was featured on says the Rhino bullet would actually perform. Bullet Pen­ then marks the target through the hole in the disc's cen­ MacPherson discusses this problem in his book packaging of many news broadcasts and national The truth is that these bullets had not etration - Modeling the Dynamics and Incapacitation ter. If you want to eliminate some human error, you can Rhino- newspapers making such comments Ammo, a yet been manufactured or marketed. Resulting from Wound Trauma which is reviewed in this peer through the bore with a surveyor's transit, If not, new brand as, "The beauty of it is it makes an The news media, the politicians, and issue. you can just let your helper repeat the process until you of bullet the law enforcement officials were --MLF have a number of marks, then findtheir geometric center. incredible wound. There is no way to that's about to hit Amer� only reacting to the absurd marketing The difference in height between bore-sight center stop the bleeding. I don't care where ica's streets, and group center is the drop over that range, giving you it hits. They're going down for good." along with $4 per round claims of the Rhino bullet "inventor." Editor: Black Rhi- the time of flightand the average velocity to that dis­ He also announced his intention to During these few weeks of in­ Thanks for the wisdom from the 1893 Scientific nos, which penetrate bullet­ tance. If you repeat the process at many ranges, it takes market an "armor piercing" bullet (the proof vests. Worse, says a fed­ tense interest in this new threat to American, (see the Fragments" section of issue No.4 of eral narcotics agent, "they'll be only patience and a little math to figure out what your "Black-Rhino") which he said would civilization, I was contacted by sev­ the WBJ- Ed.)I had to read this puzzler a few times to get used against the good guys." load will do out to 1100 yards or so. The published go through any vest. Similar "cop killer" bullets eral members of the news media who, the writer's point. He must have been a mathematician, were banned in 1986-Will tables for the ,45-70-405 US Govt load end just here, Several law enforcement officials as usual, didn't really want to learn because his method is true without being useful, It's true Rhinos be next? because the groups got so big that wind and iron-sight declared their opposition to the deadly anything but instead wanted to quote that time of flight determines total drop, So, if you mea­ error made the true drop something of a mystery. new ammo. The Chief of the Wash- me saying something that would fit sure the drop to a given range, you can tell the average Yeah, it works, But not like a mathematician wants ington, DC police department stated, "Congress needs nicely into their story about this "horrible" ammunition. velocity over that distance. This leaves you somewhat in it to. to quickly act to ban these rounds." The director of the By this time I had learned enough about the Rhino­ the dark about muzzle velocity, but before cheap chrono­ Leon Day, National Association of Police Organizations agreed Ammo to know that it was just another high-speed, graphs, shooters would settle for a good deal less Oakland, CA fearing, " ...a bullet like that to be used against us frangible bullet filled with small lead shot in an carbon

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polymer matrix. When I explained to the reporters that ignorance and gullibility of the news media in there was nothing really new about the Rhino-Ammo, this matter. Should the marketing claims of a that it would likely produce only shallow injuries (this single person for a product which is not even was confirmedlater in actual tests) and that it would in production or available for sale or even in­ A SURVEY AND EVA.LUATION OF certainly not cause "instantaneous death no matter dependently tested be considered news? where it hit." I received rather hostile reactions. One reporter who had previously interviewed the Rhino­ The firstreplies I received were complaints from VARIABLES IN THE PREPARTION Bullet inventor, indignantly asked me "How can you people who accused me of trying to "justify" the manu­ say that? Have you ever seen someone shot with a facture and sale of Rhino ammo and who said that they OF BALLISTIC GELATIN Rhino bullet?" I replied, "No, but have you? Has any­ were going to demand that a law would be enacted to one?" She, quite disgusted asked, "Well, are you a ban this terrible ammunition! I sent this response: Sherrie M. Post & Torrey D. Johnson doctor?" "No," I said, "but neither is the guy who's porary cavities can be measured, and the gelatin closely trying to sell his Rhino bullets." I thought it strange I am not trying to "justify"this nonsense. I A survey of a number of individuals and agencies matches the density and elastic properties of animal tis­ that she seemed far more skeptical towards my com­ do not care whether or not the Rhino ammu­ who are using ballistic gelatin as a tissue simulant sue.3 Also, since gelatin is transparent, the wounding ments than those of the Rhino bullet "inventor" and nition is banned or not banned. The point I was conducted to determine what variations in for­ process can be captured by high-speed film and ob­ marketer. was trying to make was a technical one: that mulae and/or techniques of preparation exist. The served in detail. On a computer journalismforum, I posted the fol­ the product does not represent some new variables reported are isolated and the penetration There is no medium yet available that can duplicate lowing high-tech threat to humanity. This proposed of the individual blocks compared to standard the many variables involved with real tissue and real In spite of the wild claims made, there is product is actually less effective than the am­ gelatin blocks using the BB method of calibration. nothing significantly new or ominous about munition used by cowboys and Indians over bodies. However, of all the present test media, ballistic the "Rhino" brand ammunition. There are 100 years ago. gelatin used as a tissue "simulant" can most accurately Ballistic or ordnance gelatin, first used by Theodor several other nearly identical bullets which But I suppose someday when someone and consistently reproduce the projectile penetration Kocher in 1895 1 is being widely used by professionals have been marketed for many years. We have sends out a press release threatening to mar­ depth, deformation, and fragmentation observed in liv­ today as the standard ballistic test medium. Ballistic tested many such frangible projectiles in tis­ ket giant fire-breathing dragons, the news ing animal tissue.2•3.4 Ballistic gelatin has provided a gelatin is a powdered protein mixture derived from the sue simulant and we have data from media will accept it as scientific fact, sound means of evaluating bullet performance, predicting bones, skins, and other tis- numerous actual shooting incidents and the the worldwide media alarm, and there will be wound types, and teaching sue of livestock. The powder truth is that the "deadly" Rhino bullet con­ people who will immediately write to congress medical personnel how to is mixed by weight with wa­ Ballistic gelatin can most figuration is actually less effective in human demanding a law banning the sale or posses­ treat proj ectile wounds. Bal­ ter and allowed to gel accurately and consistently wounding and incapacitation than the stan­ sion of giant, fire-breathing dragons. listic gelatin is also being forming a tough, rubbery, dard solid or deforming (hollow-point) bullets reproduce the projectile used in crime laboratories to transparent substance. When available for the past twentyfive years. Isn't it interesting that among the thousands of reconstruct shooting evi­ properly formulated, ballis­ penetration depth, In the sub-world of ammunition and gun press releases distributed each day to the news media to dence in order to assist in tic gelatin closely mimics the collectors, manufacturers, marketers, and in­ promote a new product, service, or cause; it was only deformation, and the determination of bullet behavior of animal muscle ventors, there are dozens of new products the Rhino bullet which the news media found both fragmentation observed in type and distance of shoot­ tissue when struck by small launched each year all of which feature fan­ newsworthy and completely credible? It has been yet ing. arms projectiles.2 living animal tissue. tastic (and usually inaccurate) claims of another experience which reminds me that there is When a bullet strikes the superior performance. The most enthusiastic something about the field of wound ballistics that often softtissue of a living body a ISSUES IN BALLISTIC and fanciful of all are the numerous crackpot makes even simple truths difficultto convey. permanent cavity is created consisting of the tissue GELATIN PREPARATION AND USE bullet inventors who appear frequently with a crushed or destroyed by the bullet's passage. A few "totally new," "super-deadly, killer-diller," 1. Report ofDeadly New Bullets Raise Outcry;Washington Post;28 Dec Although ballistic gelatin was increasingly being used 1994;A06 milliseconds later a temporary cavity is formed by the "magic" bullet design. These people are a as a test medium, problems arose due to ambiguity or a stretch of tissue flung from the path of the bullet. This running joke within the law-enforcement and lack of information in the literature with regard to gela­ Update: Due to a trademark conflict, "Rhino Ammo" cavity subsequently collapses but tissue and organs in tin formulation, size and temperature of the gelatin mainstream ammunition manufacturing com­ has changed its brand name to "Razor Ammo" and is its path can be damaged. Ballistic gelatin is the only blocks, and testing conditions. Due to the considerable munities. now being marketed through retail stores for $24 per medium reported from which both permanent and tern- What is most interesting is the profound six rounds. variation that existed it was difficult to compare the re-

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INVESTIGATION OF BALLISTIC GELATIN Figure 1 lated to the formula variations. BB penetration in 10% gelatin at 4 degreesC PREPARATION VARIABLES At the time of shooting, starting and end times were

14 While most researchers in the fieldhave now adopted recorded, as well as the temperature of the block at the procedure described by Fackler and Malinowski 8•6 start and finish. Temperature was measured using a

12 as a standard in gelatin preparation (appendix A), some digital thermometer placed in the center of the block, P=.022VI-1.36 variation does still exist. We surveyed a number of in­ the end of which was about 5 em from the surface P=.020VI·1. 77 10 dividuals and agencies who are using ballistic gelatin as (approx. 2 inches). The blocks of gelatin were cali­ ...... a test medium on the details of their gelatin formula­ brated using a Crossman "Pumpmaster 760" air rifle to E � . • Post-dotted tion, preparation, and use (appendix B). We then fire a series of .177" BB's (0.34 grams) into each c: 8 .Q prepared gelatin blocks, incorporating these variations, block. Velocities were measured using an Oehler o Haag-solid ( � 1 0) Q; 6 and compared them against gelatin blocks prepared by Chronotach (Model 31), and an Oehler skyscreen chro­ c: • Morris-dashed (as In 10) & the Fackler and Malinowski procedure. Using the BB nograph (Model 51) with screens placed exactly 5 feet 4 method of calibration we were able to study how the apart, beginning 5 feet from the muzzle. Penetration physical properties of the gelatin may be changed by depth was measured in centimeters from the point of

2 these variations in formulation and procedure. Some of entry to the front surface of the BB along the projectile the variations reported by respondents to the survey path. At a velocity of 600 +/- 15 f/s standard penetra­ , 0 and evaluated include: the addition of a preservative or tion was 11.3 +/- 0.5 em. Each trial run corresponds to

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 anti-foam agent, the temperature of the water added to approximately six shots firedfrom which the average velocity (f/s) the gelatin powder, the maximum heating temperature, velocities and penetrations were reported. the use of hydration and length of time, the storage Our standard blocks of 10% concentration were suits of one experimenter to another's. One also lacked gelatin and as a means of comparing performance, Dr. time, and the use of remelted gelatin. made with cold tap water (23°C), allowed to hydrate in a method of assessing performance between individual Fackler began calibrating all of his blocks before con­ The calibration penetration in gelatin has always the refrigeratorfor one hour, were heated to a maxi­ gelatin batches. ducting any ballistic testing. Dr. Fackler uses an airgun varied among users; the purpose of this study is to in­ mum temperature of 40°C and were shot at 48 hours Traditionally it was common practice to use a gela­ to shoot a BB at a specifiedvelocity into the gelatin vestigate the extent to which this variation is a result of afterpreparati on. The addition of propionic acid to our tin concentration of 20% (w/w), and to dissolve the block. The depth of penetration of the BB becomes a poor control of preparation variables. This study did standards was optional. The average penetration depths gelatin granules in hot water.3•5 More recently the re­ reproducible measure of the physical properties of that not show any one clear factor which would account for from the standards were then compared against the searchers at the Letterman Army Institute of Research particular gelatin block. Steel spheres are ideal for this this variation. In fact, the average penetration obtained gelatin blocks prepared with various formulation (LAIR) have settled on a 10% (w/w) gelatin formula­ purpose because they have a uniform shape, will not in this study was 11.3 em even when good practice was changes, and/or shot under different test conditions tion at 4 degrees C which is made without heating the yaw, expand, deform, or fragment in the gelatin, and a followed in preparation, and the variations in this study than the standards. mixture above 40 degrees C (104 degrees F). Prolonged plot of their penetration versus velocity will produce a are shown relative to this average value. The study re­ excess heat has harmful effects on gelatin strength and simple straight line (Figure 1 ). This BB calibration sults show that any consistent average penetration can viscosity and the manufacturer's instructions recom­ method is now in widespread use as it allows correla­ easily be adjusted to the baseline 8.5 em by a slight SURVEY AND mend adding the powdered gelatin to cold water.4•6•7 tion of data from different experiment- ters. 6•10 The BB change in the gelatin concentration. The LAIR group argues that the 1 0% formulation, calibration penetration depth of 8.5 em (at 590 f/s) cor­ EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS stored and shot at 4 degrees C reproduces the projectile responds to the same penetration depth in muscle penetration, deformation, and fragmentation depth mea­ tissue. 7•8•9 MATERIALS AND METHODS sured in living animal tissue. The LAIR group used BEGINNING WATER TEMPERATURE Kind and Knox Type 250 A ordnance gelatin mixed adult human-sized swine (approximately 200 lbs) to with water, and heated, was poured into half-gallon Dr. M. Fackler: Cold tap water, temperature not establish the equivalence between the tissue simulant milk cartons, 9.5cm x 9.5cm x 19.5cm (3.7" x'3.7" x measured. and living animal tissue.3•4 Dr. Martin L.Fackler, the Sherrie Post was a student intern fr om the University 7.7") to form blocks of 10% concentration, stored and Experimenters 3,8: Cold water, temperature not re­ former Director of the LAIR Wound Ballistics Labora­ of California, Davis during the project and is now at­ shot at 4 degrees C, using the methods described by ported. tory has also compared the gelatin performance to tending graduate school at the University of Fackler and Malinowski as standards. A number of Experimenters 1,6,9: Cold water, approximately 45- observations made during his work as a surgeon in California at Berkeley. Torrey Johnson is a Criminal­ other gelatin blocks were prepared with various formu­ 600F (7-16°C). Vietnam, and he continues to compare the gelatin re­ ist with the Las Vegas, NV Metropolitan Police lation changes that are known to be used in the field. Experimenters 2,5,9: Cold tap water, approximately sults to autopsy results with others in the field. 5•8•9 Department Crime Lab. These blocks were assigned batch labels which corre- 75-77°F (23-25°C). In order to ensure consistency between batches of

Vol 2, No. 1 11 10 1995 Vol 2, No. 1 1995 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW Gelatin Evaluation JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

BB penetration vs beginning water temperature Figure 5 Figure 4 BB penetration vs hydration variables

12 12

11.6 11.6 0 11.6 11.6 0 11.4 0 1 trial 0 11.4 1 trial e 1 trial ,g 11.2 0 c e(.) 11.2 1 trial ..... • low .2 1 trial 11 • low c 2 • 0 o avg Gi 11 � 10.6 o average trials-standard • high 7 �� 10.6 10.6 • high 7 trials-standard 10.4 10.6

10.2 10.4 10 room temp. 1 hour none 10.2 refrlg. 1 hour refrig. 2 hours hydration of gelatin particles 10

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 temperature (degrees C) which did hydrate. With larger batches this penetration found that if we exceeded 40°C for a short period of difference can be even more exaggerated. One experi­ time our blocks still passed our calibration test (up to Experimenters 4,7: Hot tap water, approximately 130- Experimenter 9: Hydration time of 1 hour at room menter reported having consistently higher BB 60°C). At 75°C we just exceeded the upper limits of 15 00F (54-66°C). temperature. penetrations when the mixture was not allowed to hy­ our calibration criteria. Dr. Fackler uses 40°C as his The directions furnishedby the Kind and Knox Divi­ Experimenters 2,4,7,8: Hydration time of 2-4 hours at drate, and therefore was less dense.11 maximum temperature in order to have a measure of sion of Knox Gelatine recommend starting with cold room temperature. security and margin of error.6 water 45-50°F (7-10°C).96 Our cold tap water is ap­ Experimenter 5: Hydration time of 15 minutes (mildly HEATING GELATIN MIXTURE proximately 23°C stirred at room temperature). STORAGE TIME (73°F). We tested gelatin blocks made with water Although the Fackler and Malinowski procedure Dr. M. Fackler: The gelatin mixture is heated slowly directly from the tap, blocks made from water chilled to recommends refrigerating the gelatin mixture for 2 in a double boiler and stirred gently until all of the Dr. M. Fackler: Afterremoval from molds the gelatin 10°C (50°F), and one made with hot water, 60°C hours to hydrate all of the particles 6• we refrigerated gelatin is in solution. NEVER HEATED OVER is stored in refrigerator 39°F (4°C) for at least 36 (140°F). See Figure 4. our mixture (enough for 1 milk carton) for about 1 104°F (40°C). hours from the time the gelatin was poured. Storage Results: We found that at all three beginning water hour since we were making much smaller blocks (Dr. Experimenters 1,2,3,5,6,8,9: Gelatin mixture is time is usually 48 hours. temperatures tested, our data fell within+/- 0.5 em of Fackler's blocks are 25x25x50 cm).10•3 We tested a heated slowly to a maximum temperature of 1 04°F. Experimenter 6: Storage time of 24-48 hours at 4°C. the 11.3 em average penetration in this study. block which hydrated in the refrigerator for two hours, Experimenters 4,7: No heating time is necessary, start Experimenters 2,3: Storage time of at least 36 hours one which hydrated at room temperature, and one with hot water. at 4°C. which was allowed no hydration time before heating. As standards we tested blocks heated to a maxi­ Experimenters 5,8: Storage time of at least 48 hours HYDRATION OF GELATIN PARTICLES See Figure 5. mum temperature of 40°C (104 °F), and compared them at 4°C. Dr. M. Fackler: Gelatin powder+ water mixture left Results: We found that the difference between hy­ to blocks heated to 50°C (122°F), 60°C (140°F), and Experimenters 4,7,9: Stored at 4°C for up to 7-10 to sit in refrigerator for 2 hours before heating. drating our mixture for one or two hours was minimal, 75°C (167°F). See Figure 6. days. Experimenters 3,6: Mixture is hydrated in refrigerator and that the temperature at which the gelatin is allowed Results: The disruption of gelatin molecules by Our standard blocks were stored in their milk car­ for 2 hours. to hydrate was not critical. Even a batch which was al­ heat is a function of the degree of heat applied and the ton molds for 48 hours at 4°C. One block was shot at Experimenter 1: Hydration time of at least 2 hours lowed no hydration time passed our calibration criteria, length of time the heat is applied11•6 Our blocks were 24 hours, then again at 48 hours storage time. Others (covered to prevent moisture loss) in a cool room although penetration may be slightly higher than those kept at temperature a maximum of ten minutes. We were shot at 48 hours, stored, then shot again at 1 approximately 60-65°F.

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week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, up to 3 months from the time time they may pass our standard range at the very the block was made (with preservative). See Figure 7. lower limits, but by 2-3 weeks time the penetrations Figure 8 BB penetration vs additives Results: We found that when our blocks were shot had dropped below our acceptable range. In the in­ at 48 hours, stored, and shot again in 1-3 months the stance where a block was shot at 24 hours after 12 4 trials resistance to penetration had increased. Perhaps the preparation, and then again at 48 hours after prepara­ 11.8 • gelatin blocks became denser with time due to water tion, the penetration decreased 0.77 em. 3 trials loss. We found that if we shot our blocks at I weeks 11.6

J Figure 6 11.4 BB penetration vs heatingtemperature e 2 trials g 11.2 • low c 0 12 a avg � 11 Propionic acid . a • high 11.8 • 110.6 None 11.6 10.6 D 11.4 Cinnamon Oil e 10.4 g 11.2 • low 8 10.2 a avg 11 • • • 10 1c high 10.8 trials trial � trials-standard 1 trial 2 1 additives 10.6 - 7 10.4 10.2 ADDITIVES SHOOTING TEMPERATURE: Dr. M. Fackler: Adds 5 ml of propionic acid per liter When measured with thermocouples our size gela­ 10 to retard mold. This is usually added when gelatin is tin block was found to increase an average of 1 degree 30 40 50 60 0 10 20 70 80 heated to put it entirely into solution. F every 10 minutes at an ambient temperature of 73°F temperature (degrees C) Experimenters 2,5,7: 5 ml propionic acid/ L. (23°C) (Figure 3.) Because of this fairly rapid tempera­ BB penetraHonvs storage time Experimenter 1: Several drops of benzalkonium chlo­ ture increase we took our blocks out of the refrigerator Figure 7 ride concentrate, an antibacterial agent, per 3.5 L. slightly colder than 4°C, and used the average of our 12 Experimenters 4,7,9: Approximately 2 drops of cinna­ starting and end temperatures. Of course, the bigger the � mon /2 gallons to retard foaming. block, the slower the rate of temperature change. We • 1 11.5 • Experimenters 3,6,8: None added. did no experiments with insulating the gelatin in order D remelted block 2 Our standard blocks were made with an optional to slow the rate of temperature change. We tested gela­ • �X • 11 3 addition of propionic acid preservative, as per Fackler. tin behavior shot at 16°C ( 61 °F), and 21ac (70°F), and • �-i!l 0 We also tested blocks made with cinnamon oil, and compared it to the standard 4°C. See Figure 9. � • 4 10.5 hrs blocks made without additives. See Figure 8. Without Results: We found that as our gelatin block tem­ c 24 b. 0 • • 0 <> 5 � 10 preservative our blocks lasted only a few weeks in the perature came to equilibrium with ambient temperature, ll. "& X 6 refrigerator before becoming soft, growing mold, and there was an approximate 7o difference between the c hrs 9. 48 • � 5 1 2 3 • eventually turningblack. surface of the gelatin, and the center. Since penetration D 7

1.5 0 Results: We found that whether additives were increases with gelatin temperature, one should take sev­ 9 weeks 2 • 6 used, or not, there was no significant difference in the eral temperature readings while shooting, and shoot the 2.5 X 9 6.5 3 results attained. Our block tested with cinnamon oil gelatin block as quickly as possible once it has been months lK 10 yielded a lower penetration, but of course more blocks removed from the refrigerator. 8 need to be tested in order to determine a range. Gelatin concentration: We shot blocks of 12% (w/ 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 Other variables tested included: w), 15% (w/w), and 20% (w/w), and compared their time (log (hours)) penetrations to the standard 10% (w/w). See Figure 10.

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Results: Our BB penetration depth dropped ap­ fit ourcali bration criteria. We did not test blocks re­ Figure 3 Temperature increase measured with thermocouples proximately 69% as our gelatin concentration increased melted immediately following use. If remelting after from 10%-20%. Dr. Fackler's data shows a penetration storing, one may wish to use the remelted gelatin block 55 decrease of approximately 48%.8 Dr. Fackler uses a only as a safety behind another fresh block. (Figure 7) calibration criteria of 8.5 +/- 1.0 em at a velocity of Mechanical damage to gelatin block: We tested a 590 +/- 15 fps with standard 10% blocks. Although we block which was subjected to physical "shock" by be­ 50 were not able to isolate one variable which accounted ing dropped from a height of 3 feet, as may occur when for our consistently higher penetration we found that by trying to remove the block from its mold. making a 12% concentration our penetration fell within Results: We found no significant difference in pen­ the 8.5 +/- 1.0 em range which most closely approxi­ etrations (0.22 em) in the block which was shot before mates animal tissue. and after being dropped several times. Remelted gelatin block: Dr. Fackler reuses his Frozen gelatin block: We shot a block at 4°C, 1/4 • from surface ---

1' from end -o-- Figure 10 88 penetration vs gelatin concentration

-•- 2' from end and side 12

3 · from end. 2' from side � 7 trials-standard 10

30 +---r--+----r---+----r--_,----�--4----+---4----+---4----+----r-� 0 1 trial 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 E' 8 � time (min) • c low .Q 6 0 2 1 trial o overage Gi c Gl • high a. 4 Figure 9 88 penetration vs shooting temperature 1 trlol 0 2 20 D 19 0 +----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+--� 18 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 17 concentration (w /w) E' � • 16 0 low c gelatin two times by melting it down very slowly and froze it for several days, thawed it to 4°C, and reshot it 8 15 o ovg ,g rechilling it. We found that approximately half of the to compare the penetrations. � 14 • high experimenters surveyed were remelting their gelatin Results: After being frozen, our penetration depth & 13 blocks as well. We tested a gelatin block which was dropped almost 0.5 em. We cannot say if this is signifi­ remelted three times with a weeks storage time between cant or not, but one should avoid using a gelatin block 12 each remelt. that has been accidentally frozen. 11 Results: One experimenter reported having diffi­ Pellet versus BB performance in gelatin: We shot culty meeting their calibration test unless the blocks flat nose pellets (.177") at 200-600 f/s to see if they be­ 10 +------�------r------+------��------� 0 5 10 15 20 25 were remelted immediately after use. Our remelted haved differently than the BB 's did in our standard block was within the standard range when shot 48 gelatin blocks. gelatintemperature (degrees C) hours after being poured. When remelted and shot after Results: Pellets, like steel spheres, will give a being stored the penetration decreased, and it no longer straight line when graphing their penetration versus ve-

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An example of inadequate information is a report of data collected at a demonstration of body armor and ammuni­ 88 and pellet penetration in 10% gelatin at 4 degrees C Figure 2 tion testing in 1993, and presented by Th e Specialist. As a test medium they used 250 Type A Ordnance Gelatin of 10% concentration made into blocks 5" x 7 1/4" x 4 3/4". Unfortunately that is the extent of the details provided. 14 Some questions may arise when other experimenters want to compare their own data to these results: How was this gelatin prepared? No information is given about the procedure or formula used in making up their gelatin blocks. 12 What temperature was their gelatin shot at? Obviously shooting temperature is a critical variable and has a significant 10 effect on bullet penetration, but this detail is not included. In the pictures they include with the report we see that the gelatin is being shot outdoors in the sunlight. How much time has elapsed between removing their gelatin from the re­ e � frigerator, and shooting? Was any attempt made to insulate their gelatin blocks to slow the temperature increase? Was 8 c: • BB 0 the block temperature taken during the shooting to insure consistency? Were the gelatin blocks calibrated with BB's?

� o pellet No mention is made of this, or if they were calibrated, no supporting data of BB velocities, and/or penetrations is pro­ G) 6 c: vided. � 4 If we can assume that BB penetration differences correlate directly to bullet penetration differences the reporting of calibration data may explain some of the anomalies seen in the literature today. P=.022 Vi - 1.36 2 APPENDIX A

,.,. 0 " GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR RECONSTITUTING GELATIN 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 1. Always start with cold water 45-50°F (7 -1 0°C). velocity (f/s) 2. Always add the powdered gelatin to the water. Never pour water into gelatin. 1000 GM GELATI N, 9000 ML WATER (This gives a 10% solution). pact may affect the consistency of the gelatin and affect locity (up to 1000 f/s). See Figure 2. 3. Agitate (by stirring) a bare minimum just to wet all particles (avoid violent agitation to prevent entrain­ the measurement of penetration from later rounds fired ment of large quantities of air). into it.12 However, due to practicality, those we ques­ 4. Let stand in refrigerator for 2 hours to hydrate all gelatin particles. CONCLUSION tioned were firing multiple shots into the same block of 5. Heat the container in a hot water bath or double cooker, and again stir gently until all gelatin is in solu­ gelatin. Is this affecting the gelatin's performance? If tion and evenly dispersed throughout the container. DO NOT HEAT OVER 104°F (40°C)! Do not stir While it seems that most experimenters surveyed re­ one can use our results from a block of gelatin which rapidly, to prevent entrainment (entrapment) of air. ported using the same basic formula and procedure to was shot before and after suffering from "mechanical 6. Pour into molds, set in refrigerator or cold water bath 45-50°F (7-1 0°C) until firmly set. (Overnight for make their ballistic gelatin blocks, some modifications damage" it would seem safe to say that the gelatin's best results). have been made between individuals in order to adapt performance has not been significantly altered. Dr. 7. After removal from molds, store in refrigerator at 39°F (4°C} in airtight plastic bags. Do not use blocks to their own equipment and circumstances. In carrying Fackler, Dr. Gary Roberts, and others have reported until at least 36 hours have elapsed from the time gelatin was poured into molds. out this experiment we tried to test as many variables attaining consistent bullet penetration depths when the as possible in order to determine how these variations shots are placed close to one another in a single gelatin would affect the gelatin performance. We made ap­ GENERAL NOTES block. 11•13 However, one should avoid temporary cavity proximately 25 blocks of gelatin, and ran about 60 1. Gelatin is insoluble in cold water. overlap, and shooting into cleavage lines or bullet pen­ trials. This corresponds to over 350 BB gun shots be­ 2. Final concentration will depend on desired firmness of block. etrations may be affected. ing fired, and their penetrations measured. 3. Firmness of block will increase with time in cold water bath, up to 24-30 hours. In order for ammunition test results to be of any In looking at the results from our data it seems that 4. Blocks may be reused simply by heating to melting temperature then rechilling as in original proce­ value, BB calibration and reporting is critical when most of the modificationsreported did not have a sig­ dure. ballistic gelatin is used as a test medium. BB shots nificant effect on BB penetration. Those variables with 5. Add 5 ml propionic acid per liter to inhibit mold (optional). should be done before and after the ammunition testing, the most obvious effects are storage time, shooting tem­ 6. Gelatin firmness varies greatly (inversely) with temperature of the block. Gelatin temperature must be and the temperature recorded before and after the constant throughout each block and there must be no temperature variation between blocks. Dr. Fack­ perature, and gelatin concentration. shooting. Velocities, and penetrations of the calibra­ ler shot his gelatin blocks, 25 x 25 x 50 em, within 30 minutes of removal from the refrigerator. The One question which was raised was whether or not tions should be reported, and sufficientdetail of the temperature was measured 2 em from the block surface; it took 90 minutes to rise 1 oc in Dr. an already penetrated gelatin block should be used methods, as well as shooting conditions should be pro­ Facklers's shooting range which was kept at about 68°F (20°C). again as a target. The FBI cautions against the reuse of vided in order to allow others to reproduce the a gelatin block as the trauma from the firstrou nd's im- experiment and compare data.

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APPENDIX B SURVEY:

Questions on general method of preparation of ballistic gelatin. FALLING BULLETS: 1. Is the dry gelatin added to cold water or hot water? What temperatu re is the water? Is gelatin added to water, or water to gelatin? 2. What percent solution is being used? Is this measured as percent weight or percent volume? How TERMINAL VELOCITIES AND much gelatin is added per amount of water? 3. How is this mixture being stirred? 4. Is the mixture left to sit in cold water? How long was this hydration time? Placed in refrigerator? For PENETRATION STUDIES how long? 5. Is the mixture heated in a hot water bath or in a double boiler? Is it covered? What is the heating Lucien C. Haag time? What is the temperature? Was gelatin stirred while heating? has been involved in the terminal ballistic evaluation of 6. What type and size molds were used? How long were the molds refrigerated for? What temperature? Falling bullets from the reckless discharge of small low and reduced velocity bullets and spheres during 7. After removal from molds, was the gelatin stored in refrigerator again? What temperature? For how arms in populated areas becomes a matter of some this 4 year interval. All of these factors coupled with long? concern and discussion every New Year's Eve and 8. How much time elapsed between removal of blocks from refrigerator and shooting? the first IWBA conference in March of 1994 has 4th of July in the United States. Misconceptions 9. Is the gelatin reused? If so, after melting it down was the gelatin rechilled following the same proce­ prompted a revisiting on this subject. and misinformation abound on the subject of fall­ dure? An interest in the properties and consequences of 10. Was anything added to the gelatin? What was added, and how much? For what purpose? In what ing bullets and their potential for harm. vertical firings of small arms is not new. Hatcher3 re­ step of the procedure was it added? viewed the work and computations of military 11. Where did you get the procedure or formula you were following in making the gelatin? Presently several ballistics programs for PCs allow for ballisticians in the beginning of this century. In Chapter 12. What actual tissue comparisons have you made to test your gelatin results? the calculation of the free-fall or terminal velocity of XX ("Bullets from the Sky") he also reported on vari­ 13. What other test mediums, such as soap or water, have you used? vertically-discharged small arms projectiles and shot ous practical efforts to document and recover returning Other results, variations, and/or additional comments: from shotguns. Terminal ballistic testing of some repre­ rifle bullets fired vertically from 30 (7.62mm) to 32 sentative bullets at such velocities can provide some caliber (7.92mm) military arms. These reports included insight into the wounding capabilities of these returning the .303 British Mark VII bullet which weighed 174 The authors wish to thank Dr. Martin Fackler and Duncan MacPherson for all of their help and encouragement with projectiles. grains and had a muzzle velocity of 2440 f/s and had the project and paper. been calculated to rise to an altitude of 9000 ft. in 19 seconds then return in 36 seconds for a round trip time INTRODUCTION of 55 seconds. Actual firings by Major Hardcastle car­ References: In the January 1990 issue of the AFTE Journal1 , ried out in 1909 recorded round trip times of 48 to 51 I. Fackler, M.L., "Theodor Kocher and the scientific fo undation of 7. Kind & Knox, "General procedures for reconstituting gelatin." Kind wound ballistics." Surgery. 172: 153-160; February 1991. & Knox, Division of Knox Gelatine, Inc.; n.d. the author described a ballistics program for personal seconds for this bullet. Hatcher goes on to report on

2. Siemon, E., "Ballistic gelatin." Combat Handguns. 10(1): 56-67; 8. Fackler, M.L. and B.P. Kneubuehl, "Applied wound ballistics: computers that would calculate a number of properties vertical firings in the United States in 1919-1920 with February 1989. What's new and what's true." Jo urnalof Trauma (China). 6(2) Supplement: of vertically-discharged shots. Such things as the maxi­ the 150 gr. flat-based .30-'06 bullet. At a muzzle ve­ 32-37; 1990. 3. Fackler, M.L., and J.A. Malinowski, "The wound profile:A visual mum altitude reached, ascending flighttime, time to locity of 2700 f/s, calculations of the day gave a round method fo r quantifying gunshot wound components." The Jo urnal of 9. Fackler, M.L., "The wound profile and the human body: Damage trip time of 49.2 seconds and the terminal velocity of Trauma. 25(6): 522-529; 1985. patterncorre lation." Wo und Ballistics Review. 1(4): 12-19; 1994. return to earth, free-fall (terminal) velocity and energy

4. Fackler, M.L., Surinchak, M.A., Malinowski, J.A., and R.E. Bowen, I 0. Haag, L.C., "Ballistic gelatin: Controlling variances in preparation for a base-first, point-first or tumbling return and the approximately 300 f/s for this bullet. Out of 500 "Bullet fr agmentation: A major cause of tissue disruption." Th e Jo urnalof and a suggested method for the calibration of gelatin blocks."AFT E Jo urnal. total round trip time for a particular shot. A two-part rounds fired vertically from a specially built platform, Trauma. 24(1): 35-39; 1984. 21(3): 483-489; 1989. table was prepared showing the results of such calcula­ four returning bullets were documented. From their 5. Siemon, E., "Backyard ballistic gelatin part II." Combat Ha ndguns. II. Fackler, M.L., Personal communication. tions for some common pistol and riflebullets. Four impact impressions they were falling base-first, as ex­ 10(2): 54-64; April 1989. 12. Scheers, N.J., and S.R. Band, "Ammunition selection: Research and years and 8 holidays associated with revelrous gunfire pected, or at an angle with the base downward. One of 6. Fackler, M.L. and J.A. Malinowski, "Ordnance gelatin fo r ballistic measurement issues." FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. 58(1 1): 16-22; No­ studies: Detrimental effect ofexcess heat used in gelatin preparation." vember 1989. have elapsed since and at least one case of an indi­ these bullets struck a soft pine plank of the platform Letterman Army Institute ofResearch: Institute Report #245. December 13. Roberts, G.K., Personal communication vidual struck by a presumed falling bullet has come to and left a 1116" deep impression of the base of the bul­ 1987; and The American Jo urnal of Medicine and Pathology. 9(8): 218- 219; 1988. the author's attention. Additionally, the Baltec 1 com­ let in the wood. puter program obtained from William C. Davis, Jr.2 Since the Mark VII .303 bullet and the 150 gr. has been revised since 1990 including the Vertical Bal­ .30-'06 bullet are still readily available, the Baltec 1 listics section previously employed. Finally, the author program was used to calculate the vertical ballistics of

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these two rounds. The current program requires the fol­ or death as the consequence of being struck by one of etc. to perforate skin in various locales on the human constituted a third 'point' design when falling back to lowing bullet data in order to perform such a these returning bullets. Past criteria for estimating in­ body. earth base-first. Reduced loads using Bullseye pistol calculation: jury production have been based on threshold velocities Several years ago this writer addressed the question powder were assembled with deep-seated bullets in 38

• Bullet weight in grains, for skin perforation either in animals or human cadav­ ofproj ectile point design and profile on skin perfora- Special cases to give velocities in the range of 150 f/s

• Bullet diameter, ers or on projectile kinetic energy values reported in tion in a preliminary way. The three Speer brand 38 to about 250 f/ s. This required propellant charges of

• Bullet length, various military publications. The one article that caliber 158 grain lead bullets listed in the middle of the 0.4 gr. to 0.8 gr. of Bullseye and a short barreled re-

• The length of the ogive (O.A.L. - bearing surface would seem to be the most relevant to common civilian Vertical Ballistics Table served as useful models. They volver (a Charter Arms 2" revolver) with shallow length), small arms would be that of DiMaio, et.al.4 The au­ were all of the same caliber, weight and composition riflings. A freshly-killed pig weighing approximately

• The diameter of the meplat (if any), thors found that a 113 grain 38 caliber round nose lead but represented two profiles (round nose and semi-- 50 pounds was suspended so as to present its abdomen

• The bullet's muzzle velocity. bullet penetrated skin on the leg of a fresh cadaver at wadcutter) and two point designs (solid and hollow to the source of gunfire. The Charter Arms test pistol • The ballistic coefficient (C) for the bullet. approximately 166 f/s and perforated the same skin at point). All three of these bullets have flat bases which was mounted approximately 15 feet away in a Ransom

• The elevation of the firing location is also consid­ an impact velocity of about 191 f/s. They also report ered in the Baltec 1 program. (The thinner air at that a 16.5 gr. 22 caliber lead air rifle pellet at 245 f/s Table 2 VERTICAL BALLISTICS FOR SOME REPRESENTATIVE CARTRIDGES high altitude means that the projectile will reach a successfully perforated human skin on the cadaver leg. higher point but it also results in a higher free-fall They also quote Journee's findings for human skin per­ CARTRIDGE BULLET MUZZLE BALLISTIC MAX. ALT. ASCENT TERMINAL DESCENT ROUND TRIP NAME WT. VEL. COEF. (ft.) TIME VELOCITY TIME TIME terminal velocity. Using a value of C=0.340 for the foration by a 131 gr. 44 caliber lead ball at 230 f/s . (gr.) (fps) (sec.) (fps) (sec.) (sec.)

150 gr. This work gives 22 Short 29 1095 .098 3014 10 168-BF* 21 .5 31.5 able 1 .30-'06 bullet T us some insight LRN 134-TU* 25 35 and C=0.390 Falling Bullet Values into the matter 22LR 40 1255 .132 3867 12.5 198-BF 23.5 36 for the 174 gr. but many ques­ LRN 142-TU 30 42 174 gr.303 British Mk. VII projectile 150 gr. 30-'06 military projectile 25ACP 50 760 .090 2288 9.4 191-BF 15.8 25 .303 bullet [MV = 2440 f s] tions and [MV = 2700 f/s] / FMJ 146-TU 18.6 28 Max. Alt. = 9823' [9000'] unexplored pa­ along with ac­ Max. Alt. = 9330' [9000'] 32ACP 71 905 .132 3342 11.7 187-BF 21 .6 33 Ascending time = 20.1 sec. tual Ascending time = 19.7 sec. [18 sec.] rameters remain. FMJ 158-TU 24.4 36 B.F. Return time = 37.5 sec. [31 sec.] B.F. Return time = 37.6 sec. dimensional Indeed, if one 380ACP 95 FMJ 955 .079 2450 9.4 187-BF 16.9 26 Terminal Vel. = 294 f/s [300 f/s] Terminal Vel. = 313 f/s measurements gives this subject 9mmP(Win.) 115JHP 1225 .142 4034 12.7 210--BF 23.4 36 Round Trip time = 57 sec. [49 sec.] Round Trip time = 58 sec. [55 sec.] taken from a little thought it 9mmP 124 FMJ 1110 .172 4415 13.3 219-BF 24.6 38 38 Spi.(Rem.) 158 LRN 755 .142 3004 11.4 237-BF 17.4 29 representative should quickly 38 Spi.(Speer) 158 LRN 950 .170 4040 13.2 241-BF 22 35 projectiles, sea level firings gave the following re­ become apparent that there can be no single solution to [pdt.#4647] 182-TU 26 39 sults (shown in Table 1) with the current Baltec 1 the question of minimum velocity (or kinetic energy, or 38 Spi.(Speer) 158 LSWC 950 .123 3296 11.6 238-BF 19 30 program: Note-the values shown in []are the calcu­ momentum, or K.E. per unit area or MV per unit area) [pdt.#4623] 167-TU 23 35 lated values from Hatcher's No tebook. necessary to perforate skin for a multitude of reasons. 38 Spi.(Speer) 158L- 950 .121 3261 11.5 238-BF 19 30 The return times and terminal velocities for these One needn't consult a surgeon or dermatologist to real­ [pdt.#4627] SWC-HP 166-TU 23 35 41 Mag. 210JSP 1300 .165 4537 13.6 247-BF 23.3 37 bullets falling in a tumbling manner (rather than base ize that the thickness of our skin varies depending on 44 Mag. 240 JHP 1180 .172 451 9 13.6 249-BF 23.1 37 -first as calculated above) lengthen and slow respec­ body location. For example, we have very thick skin on 45 ACP 230 FMJ 850 .139 3293 11.9 228-BF 19.1 31 tively as would be expected. The .30-'06 bullet, if our upper backs and much thinner skin on the front of 5.56mm 55 FMJ- 3240 .250 8024 17.0 244-BF 38 55 tumbling, would take 58 seconds to return from its our necks. Structures beneath the skin may also play a (223 Rem.) BT 141-TU 60 77 9330' climb and would reach a calculated terminal ve­ role in penetration I perforation mechanics. Such under­ 30 Carb. 110 FMJ 1990 .166 5129 13.7 239-BF 26 40 .320 8556 19 264-BF 38 57 locity of 171 f/s during its return. The Baltec 1 lying structures range from bone to cartilage, muscle 7.62x39mm 123 FMJ 2400 (Soviet) BT 158-TU 57 76 program was used to calculate the vertical ballistics of and fat. The profile and design of the nose of the im­ 30-30Win. 150JSP 2390 .217 6539 15.6 282-BF 28.7 44 pacting bullet has received little or no consideration in some common projectiles. These are shown in Table 2. 30--'06 180 JSP 2700 .382 10,103 20.6 323-BF 37.5 58

An inspection of the Vertical Ballistics Table the past. All of this is not to say that the mission is #4 Buck 1 9.4 sph. 1350 .026•• 1268 6.0 134 12 18[1 7.8-1 8 act.] (Table 2) reveals that the bullets most likely to be dis­ hopeless. It is more a matter of setting reasonable .050 1122 6.0 134 11 17 charged in such a manner return to earth with velocities ranges of impact velocities necessary for a particular 00 Buck 53.7 sph. 1350 .035** 1605 7.0 157 13.5 20.5 [21 sec. act.] on the order of 150 to 250 fp s. The question of greatest caliber, weight and design of bullet , e.g.-round nose, .070 1451 6.7 158 13.4 20.1

interest becomes one of the potential for serious injury spitzer, hollow point, semi-wadcutter, hollow point, *BF = Base First Return TU = Tumbling Return ** Subsonic value for C for a lead sphere calculated by L. Haag

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Table 3 PENETRATION INTO BARE BALLISTIC GELATIN Table 4 38 CALIBER (.35811) 158 GRAIN LEAD BULLETS FIRED INTO FRESH KILLED PIG [SPEER 38 CALIBER 158 GR. LEAD BULLETS] ROUND NOSE SEMI-WADCUTTER (SWC) SWC-HOLLOW POINT FLAT BASE FWD [Speer Pdt. #4647] [Speer Pdt. #4623] [Speer Pdt. #4627] (RN bullet reversed) ROUND NOSE SEMI-WADCUTTER SEMI-WADCUTTER FLAT BASE FORWARD STRIKES INTO ABDOMEN OF TEST ANIMAL HOLLOW POINT 161 f/s-bullet 164 f/s-bullet rebounded 168 tis-bullet peliorated 158 tis-bullet rebounded 177 fls- 4.6" with 168 tis- 5.25", nose forward, rebounded, yawed skin and abdominal wall 174 tis-bullet rebounded 160 fls- 5.6" nose forward, 178 tis- 3.5", slightly curved yaw at terminus curved track at terminus straight track track on impact 172 fls-peliorated 187 fls-peliorated skin 209 fls-peliorated skin 229 fls-peliorated skin 191 fls- 6.9", nose 184 fls- 6.75", nose fwd., skin & abdominal wall and abdominal wall and abdominal wall forward bullet yawed at terminus

202 fls- 6.0", bullet STRIKES INTO SIDE OF TEST ANIMAL reversed itself along track 158 tis-bullet 156 tis-bullet rebounded 172 tis-bullet stuck in 169 tis-bullet rebounded rebounded skin (ca. 112 in the skin) 174 fls-peliorated 193 tis-rebounded 171 tis-rebounded 21 1 tis-rebounded Table 5 (bullet just under skin) SHOTS INTO BALLISTIC GELATIN COVERED WITH A SKIN SIMULANT* Rest with a pair of matched ballistic chronographs po­ OBSERVATIONS AND SUMMARY: [SPEER 38 CALIBER 158 GR. LEAD BULLETS] sitioned to measure the impact velocity of each shot. A There are many interesting observations to be made second series of shots with the 3 Speer brand bullets ROUND NOSE SEMI-WADCUTTER SEMI-WADCUTTER FLAT BASE FORWARD from the ballistic computations and subsequent test fir­ was fired into the side of this same pig in an area of the HOLLOW POINT ings reported in this paper. The vertical ballistics upper back where the skin was much thicker. The body program written by William C. Davis, Jr. gave a termi­ 188 tis- 2.7" of 185 fls-2.2" of penetration of the pig was still warm and the onset of rigor had not 157 tis-bullet rebounded 155 tis-bullet rebounded nal velocity for the base-first return of the classic penetration, bullet begun by the completion of the tests. The results of 30-'06 military bullet which was in very good agree­ sideways at terminus these shots are summarized above in Table 3. ment with the early work reported in the literature for These same bullets were also fired at comparable 218 fls- 3.2" penetration, 237 fls- 4.6" of penetration, 182 fls-1.9" penetration 173 f/s-bullet rebounded this round (V = 294 f/s vs. 300 f/s respectively). The velocities into blocks of calibrated 10% ballistic gela­ 1 bullet reversed itself bullet reversed itself round trip times for #4 and 00 buckshot measured by tin. The same chronographs were used to measure this writer were also in good agreement with the Baltec 203 fls- 5.6" penetration, 200 fls- 2.7" penetration, 223 fls- 2.8" of penetration, impact velocity. The results of these firings are given I- calculated values (see bottom of the Vertical Ballis­ bullet reversed ends near nose forward, path curved curved path toward terminus in Table 4. terminus with curved path ca. 1 0° off true toward end tics Table on page 3). Additional blocks of 10% ballistic gelatin were This ballistics program not only provides reason­ equipped with a facing panel of 0.060 inch thick rubber able estimates for a bullet's free-fall or terminal *A panel of 0.060 inch thick rubber inner tube material secured across the impact side of the ballistic gelatin. cut from an inner tube to act as a skin simulant. The velocity with considerations for terrain elevation (air same series of Speer 38 caliber lead bullets were once density) and bullet behavior during the return trip but again fired into these modified gelatin blocks with the in the table 4 would appear quite unlikely however. (leg) perforation by a 113 gr. LRN bullet used in also provides insight into the maximum altitude reached results as shown in Table 5. Although parameters associated with estimating or DiMaio's study. It should be noted that the 38 caliber by small arms projectiles. This could be important in predicting threshold velocities for human skin perfora­ bullet used in DiMaio's study was a lighter bullet and evaluating whether overflying aircraft are within or be­ tion by small arms projectiles are numerous, the results would consequently require a higher impact velocity yond the reach of vertically-fired shots. of test firings into an animal model for a 38 caliber lead than a heavier bullet (keeping all other parameters con­ The terminal velocities given by this program for round nose bullet gave very similar results to those of stant) to effect perforation. common small arms bullets are in the area where skin DiMaio: Speer 158 gr. LRN perforation threshold ve­ The profileand design of a projectile's point (or penetration and even perforation is possible to likely, Lucien C. Haag is a Criminalist & Firearms Exam­ locity ca. 170 f/s for both abdomen and upper back of a impacting surface) have a decided effect on a bullet's i.e.- return velocities on the order of 150 to 250 f/s. iner and President of Forensic Science Services, Inc. freshly-killed pig by Haag vs. 191 f/s for human skin ability to achieve skin penetration or perforation. This Fatal wounds from falling bullets of the type presented

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should not come as a surprise since our common expe­ conclude that the bullet's remaining velocity is now 600 The JFK Assassination: rience tells us that its much easier to drive a sharp nail f/s. This, along with other aspects of projectile penetra­ into a board than a blunt one. Nonetheless, these pa­ tion and perforation, will be the subject of a future rameters seem not to have been addressed in past paper. One can gain some insight into this phenomenon studies of skin perforation by projectiles. An inspection by examining the two tables on page 6. Two of the THE FRANGIBLE OR PLASTIC of the upper table on page 5 reveals that the semi-­ round nosed bullets fired directly into bare gelatin with ·! wadcutter (with a flat, solid point of 0.22 inches impact velocities of 191 and 202 f/s penetrated 6.0 to • BULLET THEORY DISPROVED diameter) rebounded from the abdominal skin of the 6.9" of gelatin. The lower table reveals that this same pig with an impact velocity of 164 f/s. The hollow bullet perforating the 0.060" thick rubber 'skin' with an John K. Lattimer, M. D., Sc.D, Angus Laidlaw, Va l Forget!, Eric Ha ubner, R. T. point semi-wadcutter (with a comparable profile but a impact velocity of 203 f/s went on to penetrate 5.6 0.14" hollow point) at 168 f/s perforated the skin and inches ofballistic gelatin. Since the threshold velocity An experimental study to examine the speculative abdominal wall in the same area on the same animal. of perforation of this rubber skin is about 180 f/s, it theory that a disintegrating projectile was used in The proposer admitted that there was very little Reversing these bullets to present the .358 diameter flat should be evident that subtracting 180 f/s from 203 f/s the JFK assassination. The authors conducted tests evidence for either of these scenarios and that this evi­ base to the skin of the test animal raised the velocity leaving 23 f/s would hardly account for the subsequent with human skulls and compared those results dence would not stand up in a court of law. 2 requirements to about 220 f/s to petforate the same 5.6 inches of gelatin penetration achieved by the 203 f/s with the radiographic and other data from JFK's medical records to conclude that no such projectile skin. The round nose design appears to have a slight RN bullet. The same conclusion can be reached by FRANGIBLE BULLETS edge over the hollow pointed semi-wadcutter in achiev­ studying the results for the shots with the reversed bul­ was involved. ing penetration (see the lower table on page 5). The lets. At an impact velocity of 178 f/s a reversed bullet Frangible bullets, which break up on impact, are no round nose bullet perforated the skin on the side of the penetrated 3.5 inches of bare gelatin. In the lower table One of the loudest critics of the Warren Commission longer made, but specimens do still exist. By far the test animal at an impact velocity of 174 f/s whereas the we see that at 173 f/s this bullet is still rebounding off Report has suggested that in addition most common examples are .22 cali­ SWCHP bullet at 172 f/s stuck in the same skin. the rubber 'skin' on the gelatin block but at 223 f/s the to Oswald's bullets from the rear and ber rimfire cartridges known as .22 None of the bullets recovered from the test shots backwards bullet punches through the rubber and pen­ above, perhaps President Kennedy "short" cartridges. They contain 2 into the freshly-killed pig were flattenedor deformed. etrates 2.8 inches of gelatin (which represents 80% of was also hit from the front with fran­ grains of powder and have a muzzle Very similar behavior was noted with the layer of the previous 3.5" penetration value). Even if one esti­ gible or plastic bullets, which then velocity of 350 feet per second. They tough but pliable rubber mounted on ballistic gelatin. mates the threshold velocity for penetration of this disappeared, leaving no trace. It was were known as "gallery" ammunition An impact velocity of about 180 f/s was needed for the substrate by this bullet to be as low as 180 f/s (it is proposed that a second shooter, on the because they were used primarily in round nose, the semi-wadcutter and the hollow pointed more likely around 200 to 210 f/s), subtracting 180 f/s grassy knoll, 50 feet to the right-front shooting galleries. Their chief at­ semi-wadcutter to achieve perforation. An impact ve­ from 223 f/s would leave 43 f/s to produce the 2.8 of the Presidential automobile, pre­ tribute was that the bullet, being made locity of about 220 f/s was required for a reversed inches of gel penetration realized by the 223 f/s impact. cisely coordinated his frangible bullet of flakesof lead or iron, bound to­ bullet to effect perforation. It was also noted that the Once the particular threshold velocity for perforation is shot so that it struck the President in gether with a strong adhesive, into the round nose bullet parted the rubber which then closed reached and exceeded, only a small percentage of the the right temple area almost simulta­ shape of a bullet, would break up in behind the bullet. The hollow point SWC bullet impact velocity is given up in the penetration I perfora­ neously with Oswald's bullets from when they struck the steel target of a 'plugged' the rubber as did bullets fired base-first. tion process. behind and above. 1 shooting gallery. They would not This behavior is what one might expect and corre­ Two scenarios were proposed. bounce or glance off, to injure people References: sponds to some extent with what one witnesses on the #1 - The frangible bullet hit beyond or outside the gallery. (Fig. 1 1 Haag, L.C., "Vertical Ballistics", AFTE Jour., 22: l pp.27-3 1 pistol range with such bullets perforating paper and President Kennedy in the temple im­ is a photograph of such a cartridge.) 2WilliarnC. Davis, Jr., TIOGA ENGINEERING, P.O. Box 913, 13 They were also used in slaughter cardboard targets. The plugs of rubber cut out by the Cone St., Wellsboro, PA 16901 mediately before his head exploded houses to stun animals like sheep or blunt-faced and hollow-pointed bullets could be seen 3 Hatcher, Julian S., Hatcher's Notebook, 3rd Ed., 2nd Printing, The from the impact of Oswald's head FIG. 1 FRANGIBLE GALLERY in the 'wound' track in the gelatin blocks. Stackpole Co., Harrisburg, PA (1966) pp. 510-5 17 bullet from the rear (as shown in ROUND pigs, by firing them into their brains Finally, the velocity necessary to just perforate 4DiMaio, V .J.M., Copeland, A.R., Besant-Matthews, P.E., Fletcher, frame 313 of the Zapruder film). This .22 short bullet is made of before their throats were cut. The bul­ L.A. and A. Jones, "Minimal Velocities Necessary for Perforation of Skin by flakes and particles of lead held let fragments stayed inside the something such as skin or rubber is not lost as a conse­ #2 - The second scenario was AirGun Pellets and Bullets", Jour, of For. Sci., 27:4 (Oct. 1982) pp. in a strong adhesive. It will pen­ animals' skulls and thus posed no quence of achieving such perforation. In other words if 894-898. that the disappearing bullet from the etrate one side of an adult hu- a particular bullet requires 200 f/s to perforate human grassy knoll struck the President in man skull, but not both sides. danger to other workers . skin over muscle and it strikes the skin in such an area the right temple area immediately af­ Lead particles are left in the with an impact velocity of 800 f/s, it is incorrect to ter his head had exploded. head. See Figs. 2 and 3.

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OUR left-sided deposits EXPERIMENTS of metal fragments

To determine in the fi lms of FIG. 4: EXIT WOUND the capabilities and President I FROM .22 residues from such Kennedy's head GALLERY ROUND The bullet in this test hit the bullets, fresh human which have been I brain first, via an opened FIG. 5 PLASTIC TRAINING ROUND reviewed at length skulls were packed skull, (as in scenario 2). It This plastic pistol training bullet is with animal brain by one of us traversed the brain sub­ so light it would not penetrate a material and rounds (JKL) and by sev­ stance, leaving an obvious skull, and it flies so unpredictably of this "gallery" eral expert panels. track, and exited through there would be no chance of hitting the President from 50 feet away ammunition, pro­ A "plot" of the the skull on the side oppo­ site its entrance. It left 2 (from the "grassy knoll"). vided by Val location of all the tiny metallic flakes on the metal fragments in Forgett of the Navy edges of the exit wound in Arms Company, President the skull (right) (barely vis­ FIG. 2: SKULL AND BRAIN WOUND FROM FRANGIBLE .22 GALLERY BULLET Kennedy's head is ible) It did not break up were fired into Our frangible bullet entered the right side of the intact skull (on your left). The until it left the skull. There them.4 It was dis­ cone-shaped entry wound (longest arrow) is larger on the inner side of the skull. shown in Fig. 3. are two tiny fragments of covered that the Bone fragments were driven into the brain (white arrows). The bullet track No bullet track lead at the exit wound, FIG. 6: MILITARY MACHINE-GUN PLAS­ bullets would pen­ through the brain is large and obvious (black arrows). The broken-up bullet can through the left There was no such exit TIC ROUND FOR GUNNERY PRACTICE be seen to have hit the opposite side of the skull and bounced back ( circle ). It side of his brain is etrate one side of wound or brain wound on was not powerful enough to penetrate the far side of the skull although it cracked This 30:06 plastic (Biciliate) bullet had to the skull regularly, seen on the excel­ the left side of JFK's head. it, as shown. Fine flakes of lead are seen against the opposite (patient's left) side be weighted with lead particles so it lent color would for the most of the skull (circle). No such skull wound, brain wound of the lefthemi sphere, would fly true. The powder charge had to part traverse the nor bullet residue, was seen in the left side of JFK's head, either by inspection or photographs of the be reduced so the "spin" imparted by the rifling, would not cause it to fly apart. brain tissue, but by xray. brain after fixa- would not exit the tion, which we other side of the skull. Instead, have reviewed twice. the bullet would break up into Results from Scenario #2: many bits of metal which If a shooter with frangible bul­ would be deposited along the lets, firing from the grassy bullet track and in and around knoll, hit the President in the the impact point on the oppo­ large defect at the right front of site side of the skull. A gross his skull, immediately after his channel of brain damage would head had been blown open, the be clearly seen along the track frangible .22 gallery bullet of the bullet, following the would have created an obvious usual "cavitation" in the brain track through the left side of d tissue. The result, in scenario the brain and an exit wound on f #1, would be a wound of en­ the far left side of the skull. trance in the bone of the right ) Fig. 4 -(Our simulation) No temple, and a cluster of metal­ such exit wound was seen in FIG. 7: MILITARY PLASTIC MACHINE-GUN BULLET WENT THROUGH BOTH SIDES FIG. 3 ALL META �S HEAD WERE IN lic fragments, which would be L the x-rays or photographs of OF OUR SKULLS THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS BRAIN CASE President Kennedy's head by Even though the military 30:06 cartridgewas down-loaded so the plastic bullet would clearly visible by ray, on the A plot of all the metal (bullet) fragments in the xrays of not fly apart: the bullet still went right through both sides of our intact heads, creat­ inside of the left side of our JFK's head as diagrammed and later reconfirmed by Dr. the author or anyone on the ing a large track through the brain (arrows) and typical entrance and exit wounds in skull, similar to President Lattimer who inspected the xrays carefully at the National other panels of reviewers. No our skulls. It shed some metal particles in the brain (circle). Kennedy's skull. (Fig. 2) Archives. There were no metal fragments or any brain bullet such wound was reported by His x-rays show no such wounds in the left side of JFK's head. any of the other physicians

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who studied the x-rays . No bullet track through the left cally when the bullets struck it. The bullets would also President Kennedy's brain racy at a range of 50 feet side of the brain was seen in the excellent photographs leave a "splatter" mark on the armor of the fighter showed no such left-sided as from the grassy knoll. of President Kennedy's brain. plane or on a tank or fragments and no such When we repeated this FIG. 8: other hard target. wounds of exit on the far left experiment, using fresh However, it was side of the skull, on inspec­ skulls packed with animal PLASTIC BULLETS MILITARY PLASTIC BUL­ LET STRIKING BRAIN IN found that these plastic or tion by one of us, (JKL) nor brains, the x-rays of the It was also proposed by AN OPENED SKULL Biciliate bullets could in the x-rays and studies by skull showed obvious frag­ this same critic that perhaps This military plastic 30:06 only be made accurate by any of the other investigators ments of the disrupted plastic bullets might have bullet shed particles filling them with metallic who had examined the x-rays copper jacket, impacted (oval) even in the soft been used, which might leave particles which were against the far side of the brain of the left side of no visible trace. Two kinds of heavy enough to permit skull. A bullet track, this opened skull (as in GLYCERINE-FILLED plastic bullets have been the bullet to spin enough through the brain sub­ scenario 2). Then it com­ BULLETS available. One type is in a pis­ pleted its large bullet to achieve a "gyroscopic" stance, made by the jacket, tol round used for training track through the left side stability. (Fig. 6) If a full Yet another "frangible" was also obvious. No such purposes so that the shooter of the brain and exited powder charge was used, bullet was proposed during a fragments were present in with a typical outwardly actually fires a soft bullet, but the plastic bullet would mock trial for the American the left side of President beveled wound, via the Bar Association's meeting in it will do no harm to the other left side of the skull spin so rapidly it would FIG. 9: GLYCERINE-FILLED GLASER SAFETY· Kennedy's skull. trainees. (Fig. 5) These bul­ (arrow). disintegrate. There was San Francisco in the fall of SLUG REMNANTS IN THE HEAD lets were tested and no way that the bullet 1992. For this, a frangible While the Glaser slug jacket (filled with glycerine) CONCLUSION discovered to be totally inac- could be used, if it was bullet called a "Glaser Safety did penetrate the skull (to my surprise), the jacket curate because of their light made purely of plastic. It Slug" was modified. The then broke up Into many fragments (seen here). It The x-rays of President created an obvious track through the brain and did weight and lack of stability. Filling them with glycerine had to have some heavy metallic substance inside it, to "Glaser" has a copper jacket Kennedy's head and our not penetrate or even dent the opposite side of the 6 filled with tiny lead shot and inspection of the photo­ did not help the accuracy. It proved to be impossible to permit accuracy. skull. No such fragments were visible in JFK's hit a target at 50 feet with any predictability at all. is sealed at the nose. The head xrays or on inspection. graphs of his fixed brain, These bullets are not meant to be used for any type of concept of this bullet is that showed absolutely no evi­ FRANGIBLE PLASTIC MILITARY BULLETS accurate or harmful shooting and would have been to­ the "shot" would travel together as a mass, with the dence of wounds or residues from frangible, plastic or TEST RESULTS tally useless in the scenario proposed against President jacket, and would disperse only after impacting a target glycerine-filledbullets firedfr om the grassy knoll area, Kennedy. (Scenario 1) - When these rifle bullets were fired such as a human body. The entire mass would remain or any other area. Multiple experiments with each of into fresh intact human skulls packed with brain sub­ within the body and not come out the other side, to these types of bullets showed that obvious residues or stance, they made a typical wound of entrance with wound innocent bystanders or other unprotected tar­ tissue damage would have followed strikes on the PLASTIC FRANGIBLE BULLETS USED FOR bevelling towards the inside of the skull and a typical gets. For this "frangible" version, the nose of the bullet President's head by any of these types of bullets. Train­ AIRCRAFT wound of exit on the far side of the skull with charac­ was cut open and the shot scraped out, leaving the cop­ ing rounds, made for the Carcano rifleby the Italian Towards the end of WWII our "Flying Fortresses" teristic outward bevelling of the layers (tables) of the per jacket empty. This was filled with glycerin and the army all had radio-opaque metal bullet jackets. These were equipped with numerous machine-guns with the skull. Fragments of disintegrated bullet were left along nose of the bullet sealed with an adhesive. This bullet would have left residues in the skull, even if they could idea that they could defend themselves against attack­ the bullet track through the brain, and against the inside was fired at close range by their investigator, into the have been fired. It was our conclusion, based on the ing fighter planes. It was found that camera-guns, of the skull on the exit side. A large, very obvious bul­ side of a large plastic jug filled with water. The bullet experiments documented here in "summary" form, that whose filmscould not be developed until the next day, let track was created in the brain tissue and was clearly did not exit the far side of the jug. This projectile (up President Kennedy was not hit with any of these several were not very satisfactory for training these Machine­ visible. (Fig. 7) No such wounds were seen in the left until now) had not been fired into any skulls and no x­ types of frangible or plastic bullets. gunners. It was then discovered that by modifying the side of President Kennedy's brain nor in his x-rays . rays had been taken afterwards, even of the jug of standard military rifleround known as the "30:06," (Scenario 2) - If it was presumed that the bullet en­ water. It was obvious that the residue of the metallic Dr. Lattimer is the Chairman, Emeritus & Professor of round, using a reduced powder charge,plus plastic tered via the large skull defect in the right temple area jacket would have been visible in any rays (had any Urology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Co­ "frangible" bullets, and putting armor on the fighter and struck the remaining brain tissue first, we discov­ been taken) and would have been against the far side of lumbia University. He performed wound ballistics research planes, the gunners could actually shoot at the attack­ ered that it left a trail of fragments of disintegrating the skull, had a skull been used for demonstration. Fur­ fo r the U.S. Army and was a physician at the Nuremberg ing planes. This was very "motivating" to the gunners plastic in the brain tissue and then made an obvious thermore, it was necessary to fire this pistol round from Trials .. He is the author of "Kennedy -Lincoln: Medical and the hits on the fighter plane were registered electri- wound of exit on the far side of the skull. (Fig. 8) close range because of the undependability for accu- and Ballistic Comparisons of Th eir Assassinations. "

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WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW JFK Assassination WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

THE MAKAROV MIXUP:

.380 A UTOMATIC IN THE 9X1 8MM MA KAROV-EXTERIOR AND TERMINAL BALLISTIC CHARACTERISTICS

Lucien C. Haag

The mportation of numerous 9x18mm 'PM' available pistols chambered in this unique cartridge. (Makarov) pistols and the fact that the common Several other firearms (the Soviet APS pistol, the Pol­ .380 automatic cartridge not only looks very much TRAINING BULLETS ish WZ63 submachine gun and P-64 pistol for like the Makarov cartridge but can readily be fired example) are also chambered in this Russian-designed in the 'PM' pistol gives rise to a possible ammuni­ cartridge but are unlikely to be encountered in civilian tion mixup. The 9mm Makarov is not a true 9mm, casework in the U.S. With the exception of the Polish rather it is nominally 9.3mm (.365 caliber). Since entries, all of the 4-Right guns are rifledwith land the .380 bullet is approximately 0.010 inches widths of approximately 0.09". The Polish entries are undersize in 9x18mm pistols, this results in partial 4-right with land widths of approximately 0.11" ac­ engagement by the rifling and reduced muzzle ve­ cording to the FBI General Rifling Characteristics data locity. These events lead to reduced terminal bank. A Hungarian PA-63 Makarov manufactured by ballistic performance, recovered bullets with atypi­ F.E.G. for police and military use was found to be cal rifling engravings and fired cartridge cases rifled 6-right with land widths of about 0.075". This is showing obvious bloating. a departure from all the other 9x1 8mm firearms. A variety of imported ammunition, both Berdan As of this writing (May 1994) there are at least four and Boxer primed is available for these pistols. The im­ sources of Makarov 9x1 8mm ported ammunition comes in pistols available for purchase steel and brass cases, copper 123456 78910111213 in the United States: K.B.I. of jacketed bullets and mild steel Harrisburg, PA., Century In­ FIG. 10: CARCANO TRAINING ROUNDS jacketed bullets ranging from Val Forgett was able to find in his cartridge museum, some "training" rounds once used for in­ ternational Arms of St. Albans, 93 to 105 grains in weight and structional practice with the Carcano rifle. Number 12 is one of our frangible aircraft machine gun VT., B-West Imports (Note: with a copper plated finish for bullets, for comparison. As shown in the accompanying xray (below) all these bullets had metal­ B-West also imports a the steeljacketeq versions. lic jackets, which would have been visible in xrays of the head, even if they could have been Russian-made 'Makarov' in American made ammunition is adapted in some way to shoot President Kennedy. .380 Automatic chambering available from Blount as CCI which stands to increase the Blazer ammunition Joaded References likelihood of some future am­ I. Wecht C. Hearings before the Select Committee on Assassinations of with 95gr. TMJ bullets of 5. Lattimer JK; Observations based on a review ofthe autopsy the U.S. HouseofRepresentatives; Sept.7,1978;360. munition mismatch) in Tucson, .364 inch diameter. The head­ photographs,x-rays and related materials of the late President John F. 2. Wecht C. Testimony before the Select Committee on Assassinations AZ. and Norinco ChinaSports B.wEIIT IMPORT8 (niCaot.I,AZI Kennedy. Resident and S taffPhysician;May 1972;34-63. �N. 16 RD CARDeOAROBOX stamps of some common "1DOGR FI.UINON-<:ORROSIVE ofthe U.S. House of Representatives: 1978:347-8. PRIMERIIMPORTEDBY B-WESTI of Ontario, CA. Russian-made MADE AT THErut.A CARmiDGE 6. The frangible bullet for use in aerial gunnery training. Duke Univer­ WORKB, RUSSIA"- STEEL CASE/ 9x18mm Makarov cartridges 3. Lattimer JK and Laidlaw A (President, N.J.A.C.C.) unpublished STULBULLET sity under Contract OEMAR12840SRD;Report No.6625 submitted "Baikal IJ-70" pistols, East are illustrated in Figure 1 experimental data; 1993. Sept. 1945. FIGURE 1 German and Hungarian pistols 4. Forgett V, Navy Arms Co., Ridgefield, NJ. Headstamps and descriptive information on along with some descriptive and a 'PM' copy made in some common 9x18mm Makarov cartridges information about the packag­ China comprise the presently ing of these cartridges and 32 1995 Vol 2, No. 1 Vol 2, No. 1 1995 33 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW Makarov JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

their composition. Reloading components (bullets and copper jacketed and aluminum jacketed (Winchester BALLISTIC GELATIN STUDIES profiles of several military pistol bullets collected from Boxer-primed cartridges cases) and reloading dies are Silvertip®) 380 bullets fired in a 9x18mm Makarov These substantial velocity losses past presentations of Dr. M.L. also available for these relatively inexpensive 8-shot pistol. The .380 Automatic cartridge cases show notice­ stand to have a significant effect Fackler. This writer's results ap­ blowback pistols. Figure 2 shows the similarities be­ able bloating but seldom ruptured or split. 9mm MAKAROV FIGURE on bullet performance and pen­ [9X18MM 'PM'] pear in Figure 3 as line drawings tween the 9x1 8mm Makarov and the 380 Automatic RESULTS: etration in tissue. This was between Dr. Fackler's wound cartridge. The visual appearances of these cartridges is Velocity measurements were taken at 10 feet beyond evaluated through test firings into profiles. also quite similar (see Photograph 1) and could easily the muzzle of an East German Makarov pistol with a calibrated blocks of 10%wlw bal­ result in a mixup. The dimensional similarities are so Quartz-Lok chronograph. Mean values _ 1 standard listic gelatin. close that .380 Automatic cartridges will feed, fire, ex­ deviation are shown below for various 9x18mm car­ SUMMARY: A 105 gr. Makarov bullet tract and ej ect from a PM pistol. Fired bullets appear to tridges and .380 Automatic cartridges. with an impact velocity of ap­ The close similarities between be stabilized in flightand can produce reasonable accu­ proximately 1025f/s penetrated .380 Automatic cartridges and the racy. For example, a 2.5" I 5-shot group was achieved 9X18MM MAKAROV [3.6" PM PISTOL] 24 inches of gelatin while a 95 gr. 9x 18mm Makarov cartridges offhand at a distance of 20 feet with Winchester .380 FMJ .380 Automatic bullet manu­ combined with the post-Cold War automatic ball ammunition fired from an East German CCI Blazer 95gr. TMJ- 934fls 18fls factured by Winchester and appearance of a variety of 'PM' 'PM' pistol. Fired .380 Automatic cartridges from E. Ger. 71-89 headstamp- 1022f/s 21f/s . 3565/. 3535 having a nominal impact velocity BULLET pistols on the American market 9x1 8mm 'PM' pistols show bloating but seldom have Norinco-P.R. of China- 997fls lOfls of 916f/s penetrated 22 inches of are likely to lead to the use of splits in their case walls. An example of a typical 380 Russia I B-West (Tula)- 1028fls 27fls the same gelatin block. Both of Simplified drawings showing the impor­ .380 Automatic ammunition in Automatic cartridge firedin a 9x1 8mm Makarov pistol Sellier & Bellot (Czech)- 937fls 22fls these bullets maintained their tant dimensions of the 9x1 8mm 'PM' car­ such pistols. Such cartridges will is also illustrated in Photograph 1. MFS (Hungary)- 1009fls 26fls nose-forward attitude throughout tridge and the 380 Automatic cartridge readily function in these pistols Hansen (Yugoslav)- 985fls 50fls their travel in the gelatin and with occasional misfires. The re- PROCEDURE: curved through an approximate 10° arc during their last sultant reduction in muzzle velocity of the undersized .380 AUTOMATIC [3.6" PM PISTOL] 3 to 4 inches of travel. The 85 gr. Winchester SilverTip .380 bullets causes the full metal jacketed versions to Chronographic measurements of various sources of fired from a .380 Automatic pistol and with a nominal achieve less penetration (approximately 16% less). Hoi- 9x 18mm Makarov ammunition were made with an East Federal 95gr. FMJ­ 740fls 24fls impact velocity of 934f/s expanded evenly to a diam- low point bullets that normally expand in gelatin or German 'PM' pistol followed by the firing of various Winchester 95gr. FMJ­ 744fls 36fls eter of about 0.60 inches and penetrated 7.1 inches of tissue may penetrate deeper as a consequence of their .380 Automatic cartridges in the same pistol. Cali­ Win. 85gr. SilverTip- 703f/s 18fls gelatin. Another round of the SilverTip ammunition reduced velocity when fi red from 9x 18mm Makarov brated ballistic gelatin prepared and tested according to fired through a 'PM' pistol pene.:trat=ed JJ.5 inches of Pistols· due to a .fa iL,t7·e to expand. Such departures the method of Fackler1 was shot with both full metal ;.= .::: -=-=-=-.:::....:::::.=.::.:..::....:.:..::___ _ �__ _£..:..::...:..::..::::..:...:...:.:..:..:...:._!!_____-, .380 AUTOMATIC [3.5" REMINGTON M51] gelatin without expanding af- from normal performance jacketed and hollow point .380 automatic bullets fired ter striking the gelatin at (reduced penetration and I or from the 9x18mm 'PM' pistol. The length and nature Federal 95gr. FMJ­ 950fls 13fls 667fls. This bullet maintained failure to expand by a hollow of the 'wound' tracks as well as the behavior of the Winchester 95gr. FMJ­ 916fls 15f/s its nose-first attitude along a point bullet) may be misinter- bullets were noted and compared to the performance of Win. 85gr. SilverTip- 934f/s 17f/s straight wound track. [Note: preted by the forensic the same ammunition fired in a representative .380 Au­ Inspection of the foregoing results shows a surpris­ this bullet is the bullet on the pathologist as distant shots. tomatic pistol. The rifling engravings on the undersized ingly low degree of variation in velocity for the right in Photograph 2.] Two Careful examination of the .380 automatic bullets were measured and compared to undersized .380 Automatic bullets fired from the 95 gr. FMJ Winchester bul- land and groove markings on those left on 9x 18mm Makarov projectiles. Examples Makarov pistol. Average velocity losses as a conse­ lets fired from a 'PM' pistol the bullet will reveal that of each are shown in Photograph 2. The land widths of quence of this mismatch are: with impact velocities of 719 there has been a mismatch in the 4-Right East German test pistol were approxi­ Photograph 1 210fls for Federal 95gr. full metal jacketed bullets (a and 739fls penetrated 18.3 ammunition. Fired 380 auto- mately 0.085" which is slightly narrower than the 22% reduction), and 18.5 inches respectively. A lineup of two (2) 9x18mm 'PM' cartridges, one (1 ) matic cartridges that show an 0.090" to 0.095" land widths in examples collected by 380 Automatic cartridge with a FMJ bullet, a fired 172fls for Winchester 95gr. full metal jacketed bullets Both retained their nose-first unusual degree of bloating the author from Soviet manufactured pistols. As can be brass 'PM' cartridge and a 380 Auto cartridge (far (a 19% reduction) and, attitude and curved about 10 represent another cue for this seen in Photograph 2, the land impressions left by this right) fired in a 9x18mm 'PM' pistol. Note the bulg- an average loss of 231fls for the aluminum-jacketed, to 20° during their last 3 to 4 lng in the upper portion of the 380 cartridge. gun- ammunition mismatch. pistol on the undersized 380 Automatic bullets are 85gr. hollow point bullets in the Winchester inches of travel. By way of an interesting poorly defined, discontinuous and are usually widened SilverTip cartridges (a 25% reduction in velocity). The results of these fir- postscript, it was noted that out to 0.10 to 0.12" due to slippage. This occurred with ings have been incorporated into some wound ballistic 9mm Parabellum (Luger) cartridges can be manually

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chambered in a 9x 18mm fired bullet, etc. will be inspired Makarov pistol. Even though the r;;;:;:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;:;;::;;:;;;;;;;;;;:;;:::;;;;:;;;;;;;;;,;;;;;;;;;;� to complete this project. The POTENTIA L MISMATCH: 9mmP cartridge is longer, its successful discharge of a 9mmP slight taper and smaller diameter cartridge in a 9x1 8mm PM pis­ will permit the manual insertion tol without apparent damage to 9MM PARABELLUM IN 40 S&W PISTOLS: of such a cartridge. This writer the pistol was reported to this was unwilling to test the strength writer by an AFTE member who EXTERIOR & TERMINAL BALLISTIC of his personal Makarov pistol encountered such an event in by fi ring a chambered 9mmP case work. cartridge but perhaps a reader CHARACTERISTCS Photograph 2 References: with a pistol destined for de­ Lucien C. Haag Three bullets fired from a 9x1 8mm, (I) Fackler, M.L., Malinowski, J.A., struction and the appropriate "The Wound Profile: a Visual Method for 4-right 'PM' pistol and recovered from equipment to secure the pistol, Quantifying Gunshot Wound Components", ballistic gelatin. Left to right: 103 gr. So­ J. Trauma Many pistols chambered in the relatively new 40 frequent rupturing of the cartridge case wall. Bullet chronograph and recoverer the 25:522-529 (1985) viet 'PM' mild steel/copper washed pro­ S&W cartridge have their origins in one or more typically tumble in flight and havelow velocities. The jectile, Winchester 95 gr. FMJ 380 Auto­ models of a 9mm Parabellum pistol. Although the fired cartridge cases fail to extract and ej ect and con­ matic bullet, Winchester 85 gr. dimensional differences between the two cartridges siderable unburned powder is left in the bore of the 40 aluminum-jacketed 380 hollow point are fairly substantial, 9mm cartridges can be caliber pistol. stripped from a 40 S&W magazine, chambered and fired in many 40 S&W pistols. This coupled with the familiar appearance of many of these PROCEDURE: 'new' pistols can lead to an ammunition mixup Typical Military Pistol Bullet Wound Profiles Two (2) pistols chambered for the 40 S&W car­ with some interesting exterior and terminal ballis­ tridge were employed in this study- a Glock 22 with a 7.62�25mm Soviet M193D Type P tic consequences. 4.5" polygonally rifledbarrel and a Beretta 96FS with B6 gr FMJ at 1378 flo a 5" conventionally rifledbarrel . The Glock is a striker­ The dimensional differences between 9mmP cartridges fired pistol while the Beretta is a hammer-fired gun. 9 x1 8m 94 gr FMJm S at 1033 1/s a::> oviet '·"" Three (3) brands and types of 9mm Parabellum _.. and 40 S&W cartridges are a ,...------""'------, c b more substantial than those en­ ammunition were selected for 9x19mm NATO d Figure 1 LJ U.S. NB82 � � e discharge in the two 40 S&W i countered with the 380 � -dT 9mm LUGER 124 gr FMJ il at 1299 tis ::::> �i - i [9x19mm Para.] �� pistols: ����=--;; Automatic and 9x18mm � 1. CCI Blazer- 115 gr. TMJ �=��� Makarov cartridges reported in � PMC- 124 gr.F an earlier paper (see Figure 1). Nonetheless, 9mmP cartridges 2.MJ (NATO Spec.) can be loaded in a 40 S& W 3.WINCHESTER- 147 gr. JHP · · magazine, chambered and-in These cartridges were cho­ _I I ur I I I I I sen for several reasons. They •• flO .. 70 many instances-fired. The suc­ FIGURE 3 cess of such a discharge 40 S&W represent common and popular Military pistol bullet wound profiles (from presentations by Dr. M.L. Fackler) with depends on the 9mm cartridge loadings in 9mmP, bullets of the results of five shots by this author added as line drawings: either resting against the hollow point and fu ll metal jacket design, hard and soft (a) a 105 gr. 'PM' bullet at an Impact velocity (V,) of 1025 f/s breechface or being held (b) a 95 gr. 380 Auto FMJ bullet from a 380 Auto pistol, V =91 6 f/s .8�0- 010 primers, and, the overall weight 1 against the breechface by the ZT,59-0,Z� 1..06.5(2.7..559 .,_IN, (c) an 85 gr. Winchester SilverTip JHP from a 380 Auto. pistol, V1=934 f/s (bullet extractor of the 40 S&W pis­ of the cartridges range from expanded) tol. The vigor of the firing pin light in the instance of the alu­ (d) an 85 gr. Win. SllverTip JHP from a 'PM' pistol, V =667 f/s (Noexpansion) 1 impact and the centering of the 9mm cartridge also play minum-cased Blazer round to heavy with the 147 gr. (e) a 95 gr. 380 Auto FMJ bullet from a 'PM' pistol, V1=740 f/s a role in effecting a discharge. When discharges do oc­ Winchester loading. Some of these factors stand to ef­ cur, there is much gas leakage with bloating and fect the certainty of discharge. The hollow point round

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was included so I gelatin blocks. Table 2: that bullet expan­ Several shots were Penetration Tests of 9mm Cartridges fired from .40 Caliber Pistols Table 1: Velocities of 9mm Bullets fired from 40 Caliber Pistols sion in ballistic made into the same (In 10% Ballistic Gelatin) Firearm Used: GLOCK Model 22 (.40 S&W) gelatin could be gelatin blocks with BLAZER 115 GR. TMJ PMC 124 GR. FMJ WIN. 147 GR. JHP Blazer 115gr TMJ I IMPACT VELOCITY = 452 fls (Tumbling) studied. 461 fls 440 fls 325 fls the Winchester 9.2" (23.4 em.) Undeformed bullet came to rest base-forward. A bank of three 452 fls (only 1 discharge) 381 fls 147 grain JHP PMC 124 GR. FMJ I IMPACT VELOCITY = 440 fls (Tumbling) portable chrono­ Subsonic round 8.5 " (21 .6 em.) of Penetration I Undeformed bullet came to rest base-forward Firearm Used: BERETTA 96FS (.40 S&W) WINCHESTER 147 GR. JHP I IMPACT VELOCITY: graphs were using a Model 39 401 fls 419 fls 315 fls 381 fls: 7.0" (17.8 em) of Penetration I Unexpanded bullet nose-forward positioned 10 feet 418 fls 409 fls 322 fls S&W and Ruger 316 fls: 8.4" (21 .3 em.) of Penetration I Unexpanded bullet nose-forward down range in a 396 fls 391 fls 329 fls P85 9mm pistol 335 fls : 8.6" (21 .8 em.) of Penetration I Unexpanded bullet nose-forward 423 fls 381 fls 335 fls protective device. A 412 fls 345 fls for a direct com­ cardboard witness parison of this Control Test: 9mm Win. 147 gr. JHP Fired from 9mm Handguns Normal -Velocities from 9mm Auto: panel was used to bullet's normal Firearm Velocity Penetration Expansion [1 21 0 fls - S&W 659] [1 090 fls - S&W 659] [970 fls - Glock 17] record the in-flight performance in M39 S&W 928 fls 13.2"(33.5 em.) 0.55" stability of the fired gelatin. P85 Ruger: 1004 fls: 1 2.9" (32.8 em.) 0.59" projectiles. Blocks The "Military of calibrated 10% ballistic gelatin were employed to Pistol Bullet Wound Profiles" (Figure 2) shows the assess terminal ballistic behavior. 124 gr. FMJ 9mm NATO bullet penetrating approxi­ mately 27 inches of ballistic gelatin after an impact Figure 2 velocity of 1299 f/s. RESULTS TYPICAL MILITARY PISTOL BULLET WOUND PROFILES

Table 1 gives measured velocities for discharges in SUMMARY the two 40 caliber pistols which passed through the de­ Representative 9mm I 40 S&W shots fired into gelatin by this writer have been incorporated into tection zone of one of the chronographs. Many other From these results it can be seen that velocities on Dr. Fackler's wound profiles as line drawings terminating at the undeformed, unexpanded 9mm bullet. discharges occurred but accuracy was so poor that they the order of 350 to 400 feet per second will be realized were not detected by any of the 3 down range chrono­ from the discharge of a typical 9mm Parabellum car­ graphs. The velocity values shown in [ ] at the bottom tridge in a 40 S&W pistol. The fired bullets show poor of Table 1 are velocity values for these same cartridges accuracy, tumble in flight and are not likely to expand 7.62x25mm Soviet M1930 Type P fired in a 9mm pistol. even if a hollow or soft point design. If only one such 86 gr FMJ at 1378 f/s The bullet holes in the cardstock witness panels re­ discharge occurs, the fired cartridge will most likely vealed all of these bullets to be tumbling in flight. Most remain in the 40 S&W pistol until it is manually re­ 9x18mm Soviet of the cartridge cases ruptured and none cycled the moved. This cartridge will show obvious signs of 94 gr FMJ at 1033 f/s mechanism of either pistol. Much unburned powder swelling and will customarily have a split case wall. was left in the bores of both pistols. Accuracy was poor Entry wounds from the tumbling bullets are likely to be although a man-sized target could be consistently out-of-round or atypical and penetration in tissue will struck at 10 to 15 feet. Upon striking an upright 2"x12" be much less than what one would otherwise expect for pine board approximately 15 feet down range, those the particular 9mm bullet recovered. Only occasional bullets that impacted while broadside often bounced off indications of riflingengravings will be found on such leaving a deep indentation in the wood. Those that bullets. The responsible pistol is not likely to be dam­ struck nose or base-first could usually be seen embed­ aged but if not cleaned or fired again with the proper ded in the board. ammunition, its bore should possess an uncommon Win. 147gr JHP @ 335 f/s Table 2 describes the results of shots into blocks of amount of unburned and partially burnedgun powder. Win. 147gr JHP @ 938 f/s (From 9mm Pistol) calibrated 10% ballistic gelatin. These shots were all 20.in . made with both 40 S&W pistols. Portable chrono­ 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 graphs were positioned immediately in front of the Penetration (Centimeters)

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Wound Ballistics Literature Review has significantly declined." They gave no references 45 ACP handgun bullet can produce a 10 em diameter

and presented no data to support this. In another more temporary cavity while traveling at less than 900 ft/s 2, recent paper 1, however, Ordog et al. reported the ap­ while a full-metal-jacketed M- 16 rifle bullet might ERRORS PUBLISHED IN parently contradictory finding that the number of cause a cavity of only 3 em diameter while traveling at extremity wounds they saw from 1985 through 1992 · over 3000 ft/s 3• These are indisputable facts, based on decreased 24% compared to the number seen in the the laws of physics, and proven in several wound bal­ THE JOURNAL OF TRA UMA previous seven year period. listics laboratories as well as on many battlefields. p 358 - They asserted, "it has been shown that pen­ Ordog et al. used the terms "aggressive wound de­ Martin L. Fackler, MD etrating injuries to the thoracic and abdominal cavities bridement, adequate debridement, limited surgical invariably (my emphasis) lead to the development of debridement, local wound debridement, wound debride­ In issue Number 1 of the Wo und Ballistics Review that our scholarly and knowledgeable readers can con­ severe infection when surgical intervention is not un­ ment" and "wide wound edge revision" without (p. 42-3) we mentioned a paper by the Ordog group sider the gravity of these errors and misconceptions that dertaken." Invariably? Most with war surgery defining any of them. from the Martin Luther King. Jr. Hospital in Los Ange­ the Jo urnalof Trauma considers too insignificant to experience can recall patients with small penetrating Ordog et al. reported diagnosing wound infection les which contained fifty-seven factual errors, yet was need correction. I would especially welcome reader fragments that ended up in lung by telephone. This method published by the Journal of Trauma (whose editor then comments and suggestions on this topic. Following are tissue but caused no detectable would be of doubtful validity refused to publish a letter pointing out these over­ analyses of five papers from the Ordog group, and an hemothorax or pneumothorax. There is a great even when dealing with a sights). The Jo urnalof Trauma has continued to "open letter" from Ordog himself. Many treated these patients highly reliable patient popula­ publish papers by the Ordog group, and continued to without inserting a chest tube potential for harm to tion: many of the patients dealt

• or doing any other surgery (un­ ignore letters pointing out the errors they contain. Ordog GJ, Sheppard GF, Wasserberger JS, et the wound ballistics with by Ordog et al. were ha­ Because of the large number of gunshot wounds al. Infection in minor gunshot wounds. J Trauma less the patient had to be bitual users of alcohol and seen at the Martin Luther King, Jr, Hospital and the 34(3):358-365, 1993. anesthetized to treat another community from these other drugs. The authors large number of papers published by the Ordog group, This paper purports to report on 3638 patients wound -- in which case a chest claimed that "Follow-up was there is a great potential for harm to the wound ballis­ who suffered minor soft-tissue gunshot wounds and tube would be inserted): these repeated errors done on 3390 patients ....": tics community from their repeated errors. We did not were treated as outpatients. Its problems include: patients did NOT "develop se- four-fifths of these "follow­ include any reviews of these papers in our last journal p 362 - "Approximately 40% of patients were vere infection," but recovered ups" were by telephone. since we thought that there was a chance that the new treated with antibiotics ...," yet on page 364, we found without incident. Also, small projectiles that enter the p 362 (Table 1) - Ordog et al. claim to have been editor at the Journal of Trauma might take corrective that 56% of the patients received " ...proph ylactic anti­ liver from the back (where the projectile path could not able to determine the type of weapon in 100% of their action. Last autumn I attended a "Peer Review Retreat" biotics ...." On page 363 we were told that "The most have hit bowel) usually heal without infection or other cases: and the specific weapon in 89%. In a study on sponsored by the Council of Biology Editors in order to widely used antibiotic was bacitracin/polymyxin, which complications -- despite no operation. gunshot wounds from Charity Hospital in New Or­ get some expert advice on how to handle the Ordog et was administered as ointment..." Apparently these au­ p 359 - Ordog et al. listed "histologic evidence" leans, Dugas and D'Ambrosia reported that in only al./J Tra uma problem: I was advised that the solution thors have included patients who had a dab of used to determine the presence of "cavitation." With all one-third of their patients was the wounding weapon

needed is a retraction of the Ordog et al. papers. The antibiotic ointment smeared on their wound in their of the patients reported treated as outpatients, it is diffi­ known 4. Bergman et al. reported from Kings County experienced and well respected journal editors to whom " ...treated with antibiotics ...." group. The rest of the cult to imagine how "histologic evidence" (for which Hospital (Brooklyn, NY) that in only 10 of 65 patients I presented the situation felt that it has become far too medical world considers patients "treated with antibiot­ tissue must be removed and examined microscopically) were they able to determine bullet velocity [presumably

serious to be addressed adequately by letters to the edi­ ics" when they have been given treatment that results in was obtained. They do not comment on this, nor do from knowing the weapon] 5. Any investigator of gun­ tor. I then shared this with the new J Trauma editor an adequate circulating antibiotic blood level. All of the they mention what histologic changes were used as cri­ shot wounds will recognize the absurdity of the Ordog but, unfortunately, he has elected to continue to view patients reported were treated as outpatients. Ordog et teria to determine the presence of cavitation. et al. claim. It is well known that those involved in the problems as "issues which might be classified as al. reported no way of verifying how many patients ac­ p 362 - "Only 13% of wounds had evidence of shootings frequently misrepresent the circumstances, differences in interpretation," and "apparent inaccura­ tually received antibiotic treatment: there was no cavitation, consistent with a velocity above 1100- type of weapon, distance of fire, etc. Since Ordog et al. cies which may only represent mistakes " (only mention of checking blood levels for antibiotics -- the 1200 feet per second (my emphasis)." Anybody reported no independent verification ofthe weapons mistakes??) -- and, thus, not requiring any action. He only way to be assured that those who were provided conversant with basic wound ballistics knows that mis­ they apparently were told were used (from police crimi­ further stated that acceptance of my "corrections would with oral antibiotics actually took them as directed. sile velocity is but one of four major factors that nalistics laboratories, fo r instance), what they have affront not only the authors but also the reviewers." p 364 - Ordog et al. wrote that although the fre­ determine the amount of cavitation: along with missile presented as facts appear to be, at best, a collection of I think, therefore, that now it is especially impor­ quency of gunshot injuries has increased (over the past mass, missile shape/construction, and the characteris­ unverified rumors. tant to get the reviews of these flawedworks in print so 10 years), "the mortality associated with these injuries tics of the part of the body penetrated. A hollow point p 359 - Under their heading "Riflestyle" bullets,

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"high velocity wounds do not need to be explored" and have been a comparison to prove its benefit over physi­ Ordog et al. wrote "weight is much higher and bullet • Ordog GJ, Wasserberger J, Ibanez J, et al. In­ "the wound from an AK-47 produces nothing more streamlined." Lists of bullet weights are widely avail­ cidence of gunshot wounds at a county hospital cal examination alone in the group of patients studied. than an ice-pick injury." He failed, however, to identify able: if Ordog et al. had consulted one, they would have following the Los Angeles riot and a gang truce. J Other problems with this paper include: the sources, or the context, of these alleged misleading found that, contrary to their assertion, common hand­ Trauma 34(6):779-781, 1993. p 363 - Ordog et al. explained that "Most of the statements or writings. By printing this letter without gun bullets, such as the 230 grain 45 ACP, and the 240 This article purportedly showed that when warring . patients were shot from a passing car," and that 53% of grain 44 Magnum, outweigh the great majority of cur­ parties declared a truce, and temporarily stopped shoot­ references, the Journalof Tra uma has become a party the wounds were perforating and 10% were graze rently used riflebullets. ing at one another, fewer of them got hit with bullets. to Ordog's ambiguous accusation by innuendo. wounds. Accordingly, in 63% of patients there would have been no bullet recovered. Despite this, Ordog et p 360 - The Ordog group introduced a confusing And this got printed in the Journal of Tra uma. • Ordog GL, Balasubramanium S, and complicated missile classification: a typical sub­ Ordog et al. included a page of pie-graphs which al. claim to have been able to identify the "weapon type Wasserberger J, et al. Extremity gunshot wounds: heading was "Jacket Fracturing and Avulsion," under purportedly tabulated such things as "distribution of in general" in 100% of the 16,316 patients (handgun, Part one - identificationand treatment of patients at which we found: Grade 0 - none, Grade I - under 50%, deliberate and accidental shootings." Whether a shoot­ rifle, or shotgun) and the specific weapon type (hand­ high risk of vascular injury. J Trauma 36(3):358- Grade II - over 50%, and Grade III. They failed to de­ ing was deliberate or accidental is frequently a matter gun, short rifle,rifle, shortened shotgun, shotgun) in 368, 1994. fine how they determined in of dispute -- often decided by a 81% of their cases. Even the The abstract of this paper most expert and experienced which grade a bullet belongs. jury only years after the shoot­ tells us that, from 1978 through wound ballistics researcher They also failed to explain how ing. Usually the "facts" that The uninitiated often 1992, the authors studied cannot tell if a given perfora­ they determined the percentage This shows what can are presented early in the inves­ 16,316 patients with extremity confuse temporary tion (or graze) had been made of missile fragmentation (which happen when physicians tigation turn out to be false. wounds; and that duplex Dop­ by a single pellet of 00 Buck­ they list under "missile fractur­ Ordog et al. failed to describe cavitation with pler ultrasonography (DDU) ing"). who lack the necessary any method of verifying the in­ shot from a shotgun, or by any saved $79,900,000.00 during of a great variety of handgun This paper shows what can formation they presented. "shock" waves. expertise in firearm the study period. It is not until or riflebullets. Consequently, happen when physicians who Apparently they presented un­ the "results" section of this pa- the types of wounds and lack the necessary expertise in technology and wound verified rumor as fact. per that we find that there were apparently two, wounding circumstances reported by Ordog et al. firearm technology and wound Ordog et al. frequently ballistics try to collect seven-year periods that were studied: during the first, would preclude them from knowing the percentages ballistics try to collect data on used terms, with no definition, 9035 patients were purportedly studied, and during the of general and specificweapon types -- yet they pre­ gunshot wounds: they appar­ data on gunshot that are unknown to the rest of second, 7281. DDU was available only during the sented these percentages. ently could not recognize when the world: what are space bul­ second period: thus it is only during that period that p 363 - In Table 8, under the heading "Mechanism they were being misled. Ordog wounds. lets? Do Ordog et al. really the savings attributed to DDU could have accrued. of tissue damage" Ordog et al. listed "Shock waves," et al. were apparently victim- believe that 1% of their gun­ In the calculations of the savings, however, the sav­ and claimed that 2% of their 16,316 cases suffered ized by their own firearm shot wound victims were shot ings per case were multiplied by the entire patient damage from this source. Thus, Ordog et al. have, in illiteracy. They, then, victim- by extraterrestrial aliens? If so, population for both periods (16,316). Furthermore, effect, reported 326 instances of injury from a ized the Journalof Trauma, which, in tum, victimized had they landed? Or were they firing from space ships? it was only in the patients who were asymptomatic mechanism that nobody else in the entire history of the unsuspecting reader and the scientific community. I but had bullet paths near a major vessel (about one­ wound ballistics has ever reported a single case -­ have only scratched the surface of this paper's faults. • Ordog GL. Letter to the editor. J Trauma, 34(6):918, 1993. fourth of the total), that the use ofDDU could have yet they failed to comment on this. Harvey et al. in­ made any difference, but the entire patient popula­ REFERENCES In this "open letter" Ordog essentially accused the vestigated the pressure waves associated with Ordog GL, Balasubramanium S, Wasserberger J, et al. Extremity tion (including the graze wounds with no skin I. surgical service (presumably at Martin Luther King. Jr. penetrating projectiles and showed clearly that the sonic gunshot wounds: Part one - identification and treatment of patients at high risk penetration) was used to calculate the DDU "sav­ pressure ("shock") wave caused no perceptible damage of vascular injury. J Trauma 36(3):358-368, 1994. Hospital) of incompetence and malpractice which re­ ings." Additionally, Ordog et al. failed to consider the to animal tissue (1). In their discussion, Ordog et al. 2. Fackler ML. Police handgun ammunition selection. Wound Ballistics sulted in the death of a patient shot with an "M-16." cost of the DDU equipment and the time spent using it Rev 1(3):32-37, 1992. The fact that Ordog is not a surgeon, and has an appar­ failed to identify the criteria they used to distinguish 3. Fackler ML. Wound ballistics - a review of common misconceptions. in their cost calculations. damage from "Shock waves." The uninitiated often ent propensity for presenting rumor as fact, should lead JAMA 259(18):2730-2736, 1988. In their discussion, Ordog et al. cited three papers confuse temporary cavitation with "shock" waves, but the judicious reader to extreme skepticism. 4. Dugas R, D'Ambrosia. Civilian gunshot wounds. Orthopedics which suggested that "physical examination alone may Ordog et al. listed cavitation as another of their mecha­ 8:1121-1125, 1985. Ostensibly from his evaluation of this one case, Or­ be reliable enough to identify these injuries." They nisms of tissue damage -- and also failed to indicate 5. Bergman M, Tornetta P, Kerina M, et al. Femur fractures caused by dog concluded that "increasing morbidity and gunshots: Treatment by immediate reamed intramedullary nailing. J Trauma, failed to pursue this point, however, apparently not rec­ what criteria they used to detect damage from that mortality" and "devastating results" were occurring be­ 34(6):783-785, 1993. ognizing that the first step in justifying DDU should mechanism. cause surgeons have been misled by statements such as

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p 361-364 - All of the tables in the "results" sec­ computer ballistics program (2). In Haag's article we tims in the past six years." This figure indicates that 47 attain a muzzle velocity considerably less than 2500 tion appear to combine the entire study population: find that the terminal velocities from a straight up shot they saw less than five patients per day between 1979 fps -- from 2200 to 2350 fp s -- depending on which both before and after DDU. Except for about one page with the bullets Ordog et al. list (their Fig. 4) range and 1985. And now they claim that the number seen bullet type is used 4• of text (in the methods and results sections) this paper from 166 to 262 fp s: not 300 to 600 fp s as Ordog et al. per day has increased more than 20 fold. p 1005 - "When a bullet is fired vertically into the is comprised of material from both parts mixed to­ claim. p 1004 - "The missiles were identified as low and air at >2500 fp s, the air resistance slows the bullet gether. This is inconsistent with a paper that purports Other than "Hatcher's Notebook" Ordog et al.'s medium velocity in 70% of cases and high velocity in down about 60 times as fast as does gravity." The de­ to compare results from the first part with those of the references consist of five newspaper articles, six self­ 30%." In Figure 4, however, 90% are shown to be low celeration from drag resistance on a bullet rises with second. citations, and one (their reference 13) that has nothing and medium velocitymissiles, and 10% high velocity. the square of the bullet's velocity 5, while the decelera­ p 359 - Under "proximate injuries" Ordog et al. to do with the subject they cite it to support. p 1005 - "As has been shown previously, it only tion due to gravity is constant. The ratio between the listed, without definition, two velocity headings -­ Ordog et al. relied so heavily on Hatcher's "Bullets requires a velocity of less than 200 feet per second two, therefore, increases with increasing velocity rather "low-velocity handgun bullets" and "high-velocity bul­ from the sky" chapter that the question of plagiarism (fps) to fracture bone and cause intracranial penetra­ than remaining constant for all velocities over 2500 fp s lets." In table 8 (p 363), however, they listed four arises. For example: tion." To support this fallacious statement, Ordog et al. as Ordog et al. claim. velocity categories (low - up to 1200 ft/s, medium - p 1003 - Ordog et al.present five paragraphs of cite themselves: in the paper cited, however, intracra­ p 1003 - Ordog et al. misquote Hatcher in attribut­ 1200-2500 ft/s, high - 2500-5000 ft/s, and hyper - over historical review: at the end of the fifth paragraph they nial penetration is not even mentioned. I am unaware of ing to him that he "found" that when bullets were fired 5000 ft/s). A common problem in the wound ballistics cite Hatcher. Only the last idea of the fifth paragraph, anywhere in the literature straight up the velocity of the literature is the failure of writers to define what numeri­ therefore, was attributed to Hatcher. Actually, every where a threshold velocity for returning bullets "was close to cal range they have in mind when using idea in the whole fiveparagraphs was taken from Skulls vary in thickness intracranial penetration by bul­ 300 feet per second, and that "high-velocity": this is the first time, however,I have Hatcher: all but the last one without attribution. lets is given. There is a good and toughness; bullets the type of bullet or initial ever seen authors change velocity definitions in mid­ p 1005 - beginning at the fifth line from the bottom reason for this: skulls vary in muzzle velocity had little influ­ paper. in the left column, the following 60 lines are all ideas thickness and toughness; bullets vary in shape, weight, ence on this velocity." taken from Hatcher: there are only six attributions for vary in shape, weight, and con­ Actually, Hatcher "concluded" REFERENCES the approximately 25 ideas of Hatcher included in these and construction; no struction; no single threshold from a few dents the falling 1. Harvey EN, Korr IM, Oster G, et al. Secondary damage in wounding lines. due to pressure changes accompanying the passage of high velocity missiles. velocity could possibly apply to single threshold velocity bullets made in wood that the This is a matter that, in my opinion, needs to be Surgery 21:218-239, 1946. all bullets striking any part of return velocity was "about 300 investigated by an expert on plagiarism. could possibly apply to the skull. Ordog et al., how­ feet per second." Hatcher's Inconsistencies, false citations, and errors in this • Ordog GJ, Dornhoffer P, Ackroyd G, ever, did write in this cited all bullets striking any conclusion was a rough esti­ paper include: Wasserberger J, Bishop M, Shoemaker W, paper without indicating any mate, not a measured velocity. p 1004: Seven numerical errors in Table 1: part of the skull. Balasubramanium. Spent bullets and their injuries: source -- or supporting data, Additionally, Hatcher did not 1. Mortality overall number should be 28 not 38. the result of firing weapons into thesky. J Trauma that "195/second is required to claim that his estimated veloc­ 2. Mortality percent for head should be 29 not 0. 1994;37(6):1003-1006. break bone." One of the letters ity was independent of "type of 3. Overall mortality percent should be 24 not32. "It was previously unknown where bullets went af­ to the editor critical of this paper by Ordog et al. noted bullet" as Ordog et al. attributed to him. 4. Morbidity percent, head, should be 48 not 80. ter being fired into the sky. Many people today still that "The force required to break bone will vary with p 1005 - Ordog et al. falsely attributed to Hatcher 5. Morbidity percent, shoulder, should be 71 not believe that they remain 'in space' never to return ..."; the bone, e.g., midportion of scapula or shaft of hu­ "Spent bullets are traveling at 300 to 600 fp s, and so 40. this is a sample of the bizarre opinions that Ordog et al. merus, and the mass of the missile."3• It takes no more can easily cause intracranial penetration." Hatcher esti­ 6. Morbidity percent, upper back, should be 50 not present as fact in this paper. than a modicum of common sense to recognize as falla­ mated that the 30 caliber military bullets he was testing 60. Ordog et al. claim to have done a "literature re­ cious Ordog et al.' s claim that a single threshold return from a shot straight up with a velocity of "about 7. Overall morbidity percent should be 51 not 75. view," but this appears to have consisted of reading a velocity can define the capacity of a projectile of any 300 feetper second." He neither extended this estimate nine-page chapter "Bullets from the sky" in the well p 1004 - Ordog et al. claim that there are "35,000 size, shape, or mass to break or penetrate any bone in to 600 fp s nor said anything about intracranial penetra­ annual gunshot wound victims" seen at the King/Drew known Hatcher's Notebook 1• The date Ordog et al. any person. tion. UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. That averages give for this reference is 1966: Hatcher's actual work p 1005 - In the legend of Figure 4, Ordog et al. de­ p 1005 - In Figure 4, Ordog et al. indicate that they 96 gunshot wound victims per day. I do not believe that described in the "Bullets from the sky," chapter, how­ clare their dividing line between "low and medium" and were able to determine the specific weapon model that hospital records will ever, was done in 1918-1920 (1). Ordog et al. failed to support this claim. In 1985 Ordog "high velocity missiles" to be 2500 fp s. However, they caused the wounds in the ten percent of patients that et al. responded to a letter to the editor concerning a mention the excellent article "Vertical ballistics" by list the "AK47, AK-47 assault rifles" (sic) among the were hit by "high velocity" bullets. It appears from the Haag, which includes velocity data from a modern previous paper 3 by writing "Our own experience in weapons that shoot "high velocity missiles." Military bar graph that they indicate ten wounds from the AK47 treating more than 10,000 civilian gunshot wound vic- and commercially available bullets fired from the AK- and two from the AR15.

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Ordog et al. give no indication how they were able material Ordog et al. reported appears to be their ac­ algebra allows us to calculate the percentages of weap­ p 294 -- Ordog et al. reported 9807 patients to determine that these weapons were used. Ordog et al. cepting, and reporting as fact, what they are told about ons that caused the non-extremity wounds. When we wounded by 12 gauge shotguns. They reported none explained (on p.1004) that the sources of the shots were the circumstances surrounding a shooting by either the compare the weapon percentages reported to have wounded by any other gauge shotgun. While it is true identified by the police in only six of the cases from person shot or friends of the person shot. Any police caused the extremity wounds with those that purport­ that the 12 gauge is the most commonly used shotgun, their series -- but in all six, handguns were the weap­ homicide investigators can verify the high degree of un­ edly caused wounds of the torso, head and neck, several 16, 20, and .410 gauge shotguns are by no means rare. ons used. Since the criteria Ordog et al. identified for reliability inherent in gunshot victim and witness discrepancies come to light: The extreme unlikelihood of having no cases in which those to be included in their study required that the vic­ statements. Shotguns were reported to have caused 8% of the shotguns other than 12 gauge were used in such a large tim or witnesses did not hear a gun fired or did not see extremity wounds, but 28% of the total wounds. Thus, series must cast serious doubt upon the reliability of the REFERENCES anyone around them with a weapon, we must assume calculation shows that shotguns must have caused 1. Hatcher JS. Hatcher's Notebook, 3rd Ed. Harrisburg, PA, Stackpole, data reported by Ordog et al. that Ordog et al. recovered the bullet in all of their 1966. 46% of the head, neck, and torso wounds -- as op­ p 294 -- Ordog et al. reported 2791 wounds from "high velocity" cases and used the bullet to identify the 2. Haag LC. Vertical Ballistics. Association of Firearms and Tool mark posed to only 8% of the extremity wounds. In a .357 Magnum handgun bullets and only 698 from .38 weapon. There are several weapons that fire the Examiners Journa\ 1990;22( I ):27-33. series as large as 34,893 patients, as reported by Or­ Special handgun bullets. The Forensic Firearms Identi­ 3. Fackler ML. Wound Ballistics, Round 3. Ordog et al. reply to letter 7.62x39 cartridge, however, other than the AK47 (the dog et al., it appears that such a large difference fication Laboratories of both the Los Angeles Police to the editor by Fackler. An Emerg Med 1985;14:936-938. SKS for example): there are many that fire the M-193 4. Fackler ML, Malinowski J A, Hoxie SW, Jason A. Wounding effects would be extremely unlikely. Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff, how­ bullet other than the AR15 (the Ruger Mini-14 for one, of the AK-47 rifle used by Patrick Purdy in the Stockton schoolyard shooting The corresponding difference in wounding by ever, report that in their case work they see at least five and the Thompson Contender handgun for another, to of 17 January 1989. Am J Forens Med and Path. 1990;11(3): 185-189. handguns (88% for the extremity group and only times as many .38 Special handgun bullets as they do 5. MacPherson D. Bullet Penetration. El Segundo, CA, Ballistic Publi­ say nothing of the military M16A1 and M16A2). 35 % for the non-extremity group) is equally sur­ .357 Magnum bullets. cations, 1994. p 90. Thus, again, Ordog et al. present "data" that their prising. Even the smaller differences in the wounds p 294 -- Ordog et al. listed 14 shootings by the "M- written methods would preclude them from knowing. purportedly caused by rifles (6% for the extremity 1." There happen to be two weapons commonly • Ordog GJ, Wasserberger J, Ackroyd G. Hos­ p 1004 - Ordog et al. reported that all of the hand­ shots and 3.26% for non-extremity shots) is a highly referred to as "M- 1" -- the M-1 Carbine, which shoots pital costs of firearminjuries. J Trauma guns whose position was identified by the police were significantdiff erence because of the size of the a 110 grain bullet at about 2000 ft/s and the M-1 Ga­ 1995 ;38(2) :291-298. "up to 1 mile away at the time of the shooting." Ordog sample. Ordog et al. failed to comment on any of these rand (made in both 30-06 and 7.62 NATO calibers) This paper contains copious Errors, contradictions, et al., however, failed to list the distance between striking incongruities. which shoots a 150 grain bullet at about 2800 ft/s. Or­ and inconsistencies: some of them are listed below. shooter and wounded for these six cases in which they p 294 -- Ordog et al. reported 39 shootings with the dog et al. do not say which of these two rifles they p 293 -- A bar graph shown in Figure two indicates claim that it was known. If they had listed this, along "AK-74." This is the newest Russian military rifle and mean. that 90% of the persons wounded by gunfireand with the caliber, bullet type, and a description of the is extremely rare in the United States. I consulted both In 1988, Barach and Tomlanovich had a letter pub­ treated at the Martin Luther King Jr. Medical Cen­ wound in these cases, at least their paper would have of the Forensic Firearms Identification Laboratories lished in the Journal of Tra uma which exposed the ter in Los Angeles from 1978 through 1992 were then contained some objective and possibly useful data. (the Los Angeles Police Department lab and the Los roentgenographic method used by Ordog et al. as inca­ shot as a result of "drive-by" (shot from passing The most glaring omission of potentially useful infor­ Angeles County Sheriff's lab) that would have studied pable of differentiating the bullet calibers that Ordog et cars). In 1987, these same authors wrote that less than mation, however, was the failure by Ordog et al. to and identified any bullets from shooting cases seen at al. claim it can 3• Barach and Tomlanovich were en­ 10% of the gunfire wounds they saw "were shot from a include the caliber, bullet type, and bullet path in the the Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital: neither labora­ tirely correct in their evaluation, yet Ordog et al. did speeding automobile" t. body (including organs and other structures disrupted) tory has ever worked on a case involving an AK-74 not respond to their letter and apparently continue to p 293 -- Ordog et al use .14 caliber to divide buck­ for the 28 fatalities they claim from their "space bul­ rifle bullet. use the fallacious roentgenographic method of bullet shot from birdshot (Fig. 3): the rest of the world uses lets." p 294 -- Ordog et al. reported 351 shootings with a "identification." .24 caliber. They also list the Heckler & Koch MP-5 as Apparently failing to understand the velocity limi­ .44 Magnum rifle. Althoughfairly common in hand­ an "assault rifle": in fact,it shoots a handgun bullet. REFERENCES tations of returning bullets that were fired straight up: guns, the .44 Magnum is a relatively rare riflewhose Ordog et al. have most likely inadvertently included in p 294 -- In this paper, Ordog et al. purportedly in­ 1. Ordog GJ, Wasserberger J, Prakash A, Balasubramaniam S. Civilian most common use is for hunting deer sized game. Sev­ gunshot wounds: determinants of injury. J Trauma 1987;27(8):943-947. their series many shots that were simply fired upward clude all of their patients wounded by gunfirefr om eral other riflesin this category are far more common, 2. Ordog GJ, Balasubramanium S, Wasserberger J, et al. Extremity 1987 through 1992, and give the percentages of the at angles of 20 to 40 degrees from the horizontal. These the 30-30 and the 32 Special for example: yet Ordog et gunshot wounds: part one-- identification and treatment of patients at high various types of weapons that caused the wounds. One risk of vascular injury. J Trauma 1994;36(3):358-368. bullets could retain sufficient velocity to cause the mor­ al. do not report a single shooting by any hunting rifle tality and morbidity that Ordog et al. falsely attribute to year ago, Ordog et al. described the extremity gunshot 3. Barach EM, Tomlanovich MC. letter to the editor. other than the .44 Magnum. 1988;28(11):1610-1611. their straight up "space bullets" -- which clearly return wounds that comprise 4 7% of the patients reported in to earth too slowly to account for the mortality and the present paper 2• Since we have the percentages for morbidity described. each weapon used on all patients (present paper) and Another reason for the misleading and erroneous the percentages for just the extremity wounds 2, simple

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Round 2- 'Explosive' round (Super-X 22 short blk. BLAZER 44 SPL. 200 GR. JHP GOLD DOT powder blank, lot #VB 1EN81 mounted head-for­ [1 shot from a 4" S&W 44 Spl. revolver] ward in the nose of the tubular projectile)] 782 f/s (238 m/s) Evenly expanded, intact bullet pen­ IWBA CONFERENCE 1395 f/s (425 m/s) Blank detonated in gel. Expanded etrated 10.6'' (27 em). Final diameter- 0.70" to the nose of the tubular projectile. Plastic base plug 0.72" with a length of 0.45". AMMUNITION TESTS propelled back out of gel block. Maximum penetra­ tion- 9.8" (25 em). Maximum temporary cavity ca. Recorded by Lucien C. Haag 2-3 " (5-8 em). Super-X blank driven down inside REMINGTON 357 MAGNUM 125 GR. JHP tubular projectile. GOLDEN SABER, LOT Y16SA2103

A variety of ammunition was tested during the lead core; max. penetration- 17.7" (45 em), major [1 shot from a 3" Ruger SP101 revolver] IWBA Conference on March 28, 1994 in Sacra­ jacket fragments at 6.1" and 15.7" (15.5 & 40 em). GLASER 380 AUTO "SAFETY SLUG" 1156 f/s (352 m/s) Evenly expanded, intact bullet pen­ mento California. The recorded results are Maximum temporary cavity at 6.1" (15.5 em). etrated 14.6" (37 em). Final diameter- 0.54" to [New type with #6 shot and dull silver nose cap, lot published in this article. 2372 f/s (723 m/s) Fragmentation of nose portion and 0.58" with a length of 0.387". CL33BA] core separation. Base of jacket intact with plastic base 1204 f/s (367 m/s) Unexpanded copper cup penetrated Large blocks of 10%w/w ballistic gelatin 20.5 inches in plug in place. Max. penetration- 11.8" (30 em). 15" (38 em) coming to rest base-forward with ap­ REMINGTON 40 S&W 180 GR. JHP GOLDEN length (52 em) were used in these tests. The perfor­ 2396 f/s (730 m/s) Fragmentation with separation of proximately 112 the pellets still inside. Spherical SABER, LOT Y29SC3511 mance of each block was evaluated at the beginning lead core and plastic base plug. Max. penetration- plastic nose plug found 2" (5 em) in the gel. Pellets and end of each testing sequence through the penetra­ 18.1" (46 em). [1 shot from an S&W model 4006 pistol] at 5.9, 7.1, 7.9, 9.6 and 9.8 inches. tive characteristics of standard steel BBs striking the 947 f/s (289 m/s) Evenly expanded, intact bullet pen­ gel at measured velocities. Described below are the re­ etrated 15.4" (39 em). Final diameter- 0.60" to 7.62X45MM CZECH MILITARY BALL-CZ52 sults of these calibration shots followed by those for the WINCHESTER 38 SPL. 147 GR. SUBSONIC JHP 0.64" with a length of 0.456". RIFLE various projectiles fired into each of these gelatin [Two (2) shots fired from a 2" S&W revolver] blocks. Velocity and penetration values are given in [.311" diameter, 130 gr. FMJ-BT, steel core bullet 788 f/s (240 m/s) Evenly expanded bullet without frag­ E. GERMAN 7.62X39MM M43UB 62 GR. feet per second and inches with their metric equivalents with grooved cannelure] mentation, 13" (33 em) of penetration. FMJ-RN BULLET, 1979 MFG.-ARSENAL #05 in parentheses. The results are listed in the order they 2515 f/s (767 m/s) Bullet perforated 20.5'' block intact 766 f/s (233 m/s) Evenly expanded bullet, 0.52 to 0.60" were obtained with no effort to rearrange the entries and exited with 90 degrees of yaw. [1 shot from an AK-type rifle] diameter, 0.49" length. 13.4 " (34 em) of penetration. according to increasing impact velocity. 2475 f/s (754 m/s) Nickel-plated bullet exited block 2443 f/s (745 m/s) Undeformed steel jacketed bullet BLOCK 1: Calibration shots with 5.24 gr., .171" to intact as before to include full yaw. Note: at the end deviated and exited the bottom of the gel block at an . 172" diameter steel BBs. Impact velocities measured of the day three (3) more shots with this ammunition WINCHESTER 9MMP BLACK TALON JHP undetermined distance . with an Oehler 35 chronograph with the following re­ were fired into several aggregated blocks of gelatin [1 shot from a Browning Hi-Power pistol] sults: which provided a 28" (71 em) total path. The bullets 992 f/s (302 m/s) Evenly expanded bullet, 0.56" to REMINGTON 12 GA. COPPER SOLID SABOT from each of these shots exited without breaking up 0.62" final diameter, 0.437" length, penetrated 15" ROUND IMPACT VELOCITY GELATIN PENETRATION after following somewhat erratic tracks through the (38 em) of gelatin coming to rest nose-first. 601 f/s (183 m/s) 4.1 inches (10.3 em) gel. The entry velocities for the shots with this 1950s [1 shot through a rifledRemington 870] 595 (181) 3.9 (9.8) vintage ammunition were 2562, 2503 and 2508 f/s 1313 f/s (400 m/s) Main mass of the slug penetrated 606 (185) 3.7 (9.3) (ca. 770 m/s). 32" (81 em) and stopped nose-forward. The ogival 602 (183) 3.9 (10) "NU-LOAD" (SILVER SPRINGS, NV) 25ACP 35 GR. HORNADY XTP JHP, LOT B12794 18231 W portion of the slug broke away during gel penetra­ tion and were found at 7.1" to 7.5" (18 to 19 em). PMC 38 SPL. 'ULTRAMAG' [2 shots from a Raven pistol] The base of the plastic sabot was found at 19.3" (49 963 f/ s (294 m/s) Evenly expanded bullet penetrated 7.62X39MM RUSSIAN "HUNTING" [Round 1-normal, tubular projectile] em). 'Petals' from the plastic sabot were scattered 6.3" (16 em) gelatin with some yaw at terminus. Fi­ AMMUNITION 1466 f/s (447 m/s) Straight-on strike. Projectile intact along the 'wound' track at distances of 5.5, 8.7, nal diameter- 0.37" to 0.40" with a length of 0.25". and undeformed. Penetrated 11.8" (30 em). Plastic 10.6, 12.2 and 17.7 inches (14 to 45 em). [.311" diameter, 123 gr. JHP-BT bullet with lead 958 f/s (292 m/s) Evenly expanded bullet without frag- base plug at 4.7" (12 em). No noticeable temporary core and plastic base plug] mentation. Penetration- 6.7" (17 em), bullet cavity. 2390 f/ s (728 m/s) Fragmentation of steel jacket and nose-forward at terminus.

48 1995 Vol 2, No. 1 Vol 2, No. 1 1995 49 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW Te st Results JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

with and without the pigskin at 694 f/s gave gelatin 40 CAL. HARD CAST LEAD TRUNCATED BB PERFORATION OF GELATIN IMPACT RESULTS penetration depths of 4.7511 (with skin perforation) and CONE, 158 GR., 0.21" MEPLAT, 0.627" OAL VELOCITY PENETRATION 5.2511 (no skin) respectively. FRESH PIGSKIN OVER 291 f/s 89 rnls rebounded from skin none [MacPherson 40 S&W bullet] 304 f/s 93 m/s rebounded from skin none BALLISTIC GELATIN 350 f/s 107 rnls perforation of skin 1.02" (2.6 em) gel penetration Pigskin-covered gelatin- 347 f/s 106 rnls rebounded from skin none 9MM (.353") 46 GR. STEEL SPHERES 3S3 f/s 108 rnls perforation of skin 0.94" (2.4 em) gel penetration 197 f/s (60 rnls) Bullet rebounded from the pigskin 344 f/s I OS rnls perforation of skin 0.28" (0.7 em) gel penetration [MacPherson saboted .410 shotshell cartridges] 28S f/s (79 rnls) 7.8" (19.7 em) gelatin penetration BLOCK 2: 338 f/s 103 rnls perforation of skin 0.39" ( 1.0 em) gel penetration 186 f/s (57 rnls) 2.4" (6.2 em) of penetration 438 f/s 134 rnls perforation of skin 2.2" (5.7 em) gel penetration (Thick area on pigskin est. ca. 0.1011 to 0.1511 thick) 283 f/s (86 rnls) 9.4" (23.9 em) of penetration INTRODUCTION 444 f/s 13S rnls perforation " 2.4" (6.0 em) penetration 625 f/s (191 m/s) 10.411 (26.2 em) penetration 436 f/s 133 rnls perforation " 2.2" (5.6 em) penetration Steel BBs weighing 5.24 grains (340 mg) and mea­ 509 f/s ISS rnls perforation " 2.8" (7 .0 em) penetration 452 f/s (138 m/s) 5.711 (14.4 em) penetration suring .171 inches (4.34 mm) in diameter were fired 496 f/s 151 rnls perforation " 2.5" (6.4 em) gel penetration 479 f/s (146 m/s) 7.611 (19.3 em) penetration 45 CAL. HARD CAST LEAD ROUND NOSE, 212 into a large (20.511/ 52 em long) block of ballistic gela­ 496 f/s 1S1 rnls perforation " 2.7" (6.9 em) penetration 330 f/s (101 m/s) 5.011 (12.6 em) penetration GR., 0.663" OAL 560 f/s 171 rnls perforation " 3.3" (8.4 em) penetration tin prior to and subsequent to test shots into a panel of 542 f/s 165 rnls perforation " 3.2" (8.1 em) penetration 324 f/s (99 m/s) 4.311 (11.0 em) penetration [MacPherson 45 ACP bullet] fresh* pigskin using a Crossman pump-type .177 cali­ 577 f/s 176 rnls perforation " 3.4" (8.7 em) penetration 602 f/s 183 rnls perforation " 3.7" (9.4 em) penetration Pigskin-covered gelatin- Ending BB calibration shots gave- ber air rifle.Impact velocities of all shots were 607 f/s 185 rnls perforation "* 3.7" (9.4 em) penetration measured with an Oehler 35 chronograph. The calibra­ 594 f/s 181 rnls perforation " 3.7" (9.4 em) penetration 10.3 em penetration at 599 f/s impact velocity and, IMPACT 587 f/s 179 rnls perforation "* 3.7" (9.4 em) penetration VELOCITY RESULTS tion shots gave the following penetration depths for 9.8 em penetration for a V.J of 589 f/s. 585 f/s 178 rnls perforation "* 3.5" (9.0 em) penetration 447 f/s (136 rnls) 17.3" (44 em) gelatin penetration Block 2: 316 f/s (96 rnls) 10.4" (26.3 em) penetration IMPACT VELOCITY PENETRATION *Thicker region of pigskin (ca. 0.1011 to 0.1511 thick) BLOCK "3" 279 f/s (85 rnls) 10.2" (26.0 em) penetration (2 gelatin blocks butted against each other): 278 f/s (85 rnls) 10.2" (2S.8 em) penetration f/s - m/s inches -em Note 1: As with Block 1, these shots are listed in the 359 f/s (1 09 rnls) 13.0" (33.0 em) penetration 591 f/s 180 m/s 4. 111 10.3 em order they were fired and not necessarily in order of Calibration shots into Block #3 gave the following re­ 383 f/s (117 rnls) 14.4" (36.5 em) penetration 443 f/s (135 rnls) 598 f/s 182 m/s 4.111 10.4 cm sults: 16.1" ( 41.0 em) penetration increasing impact velocity. 439 f/s (134 rnls) 17.3" (44.0 em) penetration 580 f/s 177 m/s 3.911 9.9 em Note 2: This panel of skin was stored for 6 days at 4°C IMPACT End of series then shot again with steel BBs with the skin mounted VELOCITY PENETRATION 584 f/s 178 m/s 3.911 9.9 em on gelatin prepared by L. Haag. BBs with impact ve­ 1st Block 583 f/s (178 m/s) 3.811 (9.7cm) 45 CAL. HARD CAST LEAD CYLINDER, 254 590 f/s 180 m/s 3.911 9.9 em locities of 251, 256, 256, and 258 f/s all rebounded. In 581 f/s (177 m/s) 3.811 (9.6 em) GR., 0.606" OAL, 0.443" DIA. 'POINT' Results of test 2nd Block 584 f/s (178 m/s) 3.811 (9.7 em) the absence of the [MacPherson solid cylinder with slightly reduced diam­ shots into a panel of 564 f/s (172 m/s) 3.611 (9.2 em) pigskin these veloci­ eter forward end] fresh pigskin draped ties gave penetration across the impact depths of 1.2511 to 269 f/s (82 rnls) 10.2" (25.9 em) penetration 40 CAL. HARD CAST LEAD SWC, 137 GR., side of the same 1.5''. At 381 and 27 4 f/s (84 rnls) 10.2" (25.8 em) penetration 0.20" MEPLAT, 0.608" OAL 397 f/s (121 rnls) 17.7" (44.9 em) penetration gelatin block. The 390 f/s the skin was 343 f/s (lOS rnls) 13.2" (33.5 em) penetration measured thickness perforated followed [MacPherson 40 S&W bullet] 3S9 f/s (109 rnls) 14.2" (36.0 em) penetration of this panel of skin by 0.611 and 0.911 of IMPACT was 0.035 to 0.065 gel penetration re­ VELOCITY RESULTS inches (0.9 to 1.6 spectively. An 794 f/s (242 rnls) 24.8" (62.9 em) gelatin penetration mm). [Measured by impact at 460 f/s 852 f/s (260 rnls) 26.0" (66. 1 em) nose-forward penetration 853 f/s (260 rnls) 26.4" (67.1 em) nose-forward penetration L. Haag at FSSI, perforated the pig­ 1064 f/s (324 rnls) 44.9"+ (114 em+) exited block 736 f/s (224 rnls) 27.4" (69.5 em) penetration Carefree, AZ] skin and penetrated " 704 f/s (215 rnls) 27.8" (70.5 em) 1.611 in the underly­ 557 f/s (170 rnls) 18.9" (48.0 em) ing gelatin. A bare 510 f/s (15S rnls) 18.1" (45.9 em) bullet rotated at terminus 404 f/s (123 rnls) 12.0" (30.5 em) penetration gelatin calibration " 333 f/s (101 rnls) 9.8" (25.0 em) shot at 611 f/s pen­ Block of ballistic gelatin covered with fresh pig skin was used to Note: These bullets did not deform during impact and etrated 4.111 (10.4 test the skin's effect upon penetration Into tissue. penetration. em). Finally, shots

50 1995 Vol 2, No. 1 Vol 2, No. 1 1995 51 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW Book Reviews WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

based on ignorance, or fraud, or both." This easy to entele. Duncan has had a lifelong interest in firearms as understand primer on statistics should enable the lay­ a shooter and experimenter and has read widely in the Book Review man to avoid being misled by data that is "too good to field. He demonstrated the depth of his insights into be true." bullet effects when, in 1976, he published "Relative In ­ shoot it into 10% gelatin and measure the results. I Although MacPherson derives his penetration capacitation BULListics." That article analyzed and BULLET PENETRATION ­ didn't even have to do gelatin shots to answer most of model with the rigor necessary to satisfy the most criti­ pointed out the fatal flaws in the now infamous Rela­ MODELING THE DYNA MICS AND the questions I was asked about bullet performance. I cal professional scientist, he also provides graphs tive Incapacitation Index (RII). The National Institute INCAPACITATION RESUL TING FROM could usually make a pretty accurate estimate by men­ derived from the model to enable the interested layman of Justice NIJ, originator of this ill-fated bullet rating tally comparing the bullet in question with the results of WO UND TRA UMA to apply the information easily. For example, his model scheme, disregarded MacPherson's well-founded criti­ the several thousand bullets I had already tested. Fi­ permits the interested reader to obtain the maximum in cisms. In 1986, two FBI agents had to die, by Duncan MacPherson nally, after MacPherson's experimental verification of accuracy from bullet testing in ordnance gelatin. Cali­ unnecessarily, (in the Miami shootout) to prove to the his model was nearly finished, it dawned upon me that brating each gelatin block with a "BB" shot (at 590 ft/ world that MacPherson was entirely correct when he Available from: Ballistic Publications, Box 772, El his predictive penetration model does essentially the s) gives a quality control check, but within the calibra­ pointed out, ten years previously, that the RII was seri­ Segundo, CA 90245. same thing as my experience based estimates did -- tion standards (± 1 centimeter of the 8.5 em standard ously flawed. Hardbound -- 303 pp. including 69 pages of photo­ only his model does it more accurately and it can be penetration depth) there can be a variation of ± 12% The strongest focus of MacPherson's work is on graphs of bullets and graphs derived from bullet applied to a far wider variety of questions. It puts the (and many laboratories are reporting shots in which the getting the maximum efficiency out of the inherently testing. $39.95 (California residents add $3.30 sales equivalent of more than a decade of systematic bullet BB penetration does not meet these standards). From limited handgun. He discusses accuracy, recoil, cali­ tax) testing experience at the fingertips of any intelligent MacPherson's graphs the reader can obtain the adjust­ bers, bullet types, bullet velocities and bullet weights; Law enforcement officers and members of the In­ reader who is willing to think the model through. ments to normalize results to the standard 8.5 em even relating all of these to his wound trauma incapacitation ternational Wound Ballistics Association will receive a MacPherson derived his model using the rigorous if the calibration shot was several em from the 8.5 em model (which is his penetration model with human reduced price of $29.95 (California residents add $2.47 mathematics and physics required for scientific accu­ standard. This normalization of experimental results anatomy, physiology and psychology and other consid­ state sales tax). racy: this derivation is included in a 35 page chapter cuts out a large source of potential error, that has here­ erations added). This remarkable book by Duncan MacPherson ad­ that will satisfy the most critical mathematically ori­ tofore been overlooked, and allows more accurate This superb book can provide those responsible for vances wound ballistics to the status of a mature ented reader. MacPherson's writing style and bullet performance comparisons. weapon and bullet selection with the reliable informa­ predictive science. One must consider the normally vocabulary, however, make the basic principles and MacPherson includes graphs that allow the reader tion they need to make informed choices -- to balance slow growth evidenced in the history of scientific meth­ results understandable to the layman. to obtain a realistic approximation of bullet penetration intelligently the inevitable pros and cons that accom­ ods and ideas to appreciate the significance of this MacPherson has included an outline of the contents in gelatin from bullets recovered from shots into water. pany these compromises. It further provides data and achievement. We have had a valid tissue simulant with of his book's chapters in the introduction, as well as The expanded bullet's diameter, weight, caliber, and insights that are of crucial importance to Wound Ballis­ which to do bullet testing that is applicable quantita­ providing an excellent summary at the end of each velocity; plotted on the appropriate graph, allows the tics Researchers, Forensic Pathologists, Firearms tively to the human body for only a dozen years: for chapter. He exposes and corrects common fallacies -­ reader to read off the equivalent penetration depth in Examiners, Trauma Surgeons, Ordnance Engineers, only half that time has this tissue simulant been used such as the presumption that kinetic energy determines 10% standard gelatin (calibrated to a "BB penetration Law Enforcement Personnel and others critically de­ widely in a way that gives comparable results ("BB" bullet effect. In that section we find: depth of 8.5 em.) pendent on firearm performance. penetration calibration of each block). Newton's laws of motion describe forces and mo­ The photographs relating striking velocity to defor­ MacPherson's book is a scholarly scientific work. Bullet Penetration unveils MacPherson's unique mentum transfer, not energy relationships mation and expansion for various cast lead projectiles It is not for those who prefer their facts predigested and mathematical predictive bullet penetration model which Damage is done by stress (force), not energy. and jacketed expanding handgun bullets should prove spoon fed -- it is for mature minds that are willing and he derived from the general equations of motion. He Stresses cause damage only ifthey strain body tis­ exceptionally useful to those who experiment with, or able to think for themselves. Rather than just doling out used the methodology described above for experimental sues above their elastic limits. Most expanding are interested in, bullet design --or are just interested in answers, MacPherson gives his readers the tools they shots with various projectiles into calibrated 10% gela­ handgun bullets simply waste the kinetic energy used in understanding better what they have seen in their own need to figure out the best answers to their own particu­ tin to validate his model and determine its empirical producing the small temporary cavities they cause. experimental work or that of others. lar bullet-ef fect-related problems for themselves. constants. Included is an excellent clarification of statistics MacPherson's credentials are impressive to say the Several years ago, when Duncan MacPherson tried for the layman. It explains how the seemingly plausible least -- he is, in fact (no joke), a rocket scientist -­ Martin L. Fackler, MD to explain to me the necessity for a mathematical bullet collection of data from shootings is immensely com­ whose accomplishments include developing a new guid­ penetration model, I didn't understand why it was pounded by the large number of variables; that any ance technique and the equations that were used to Note: The editor wishes to thank Mr. Peter Kokalis, editor of Fighting Firearms for his kind permission to reprint this book review which first ap­ needed or how it might be applied. If I had any ques­ claim that incapacitation from bullet hits can be as­ guide the Mercury astronauts into orbit. He is now a peared in that publication. tion about the effectiveness of a new bullet I would just sessed within a few percent based on shooting data "is busy consultant in space flight with an impressive eli-

52 Vol 2, No. 1 1995 Vol 2, No. 1 1995 53 IWBA Membership Policy

1) The IWBA has only a single class of membership ("member") after March 29, 1995. Dues are $40 for the period covering four issues of the IWBA Journal (which will be published semiannually starting in 1995).

2) All IWBA "full members", "technical consultants", and "associate members" in good standing on March 29, 1995 are IWBA members as of this date (with their "anniversary date" for renewal unchanged). Please Note

3) Persons in the following categories will be offered IWBA membership simply by applying and paying the $40 dues: IWBA•s New Address and

(a) Prior IWBA members (of any class) Te lephone Number (b) Full-time law enforcement officers (c) Members in good standing of any of the following: organizations: As­ sociation of Firearms To ol mark Examiners American Academy of Forensic Sci­ ences American College of Emergency Physicians American College of Surgeons.

4) Persons who have contributed to the body of knowledge in wound ballistics (either by adding to the scholarship or by disseminating that body of knowledge) IWBA may apply for membership by submitting to the IWBA a letter of application along with evidence supporting their qualifications. Acceptance by the IWBA Member­ ship Committee and payment of the $40. dues will confer membership. PO Box 701

5) Persons who have an interest in learning wound ballistics but who do not qualify under any of the above categories may apply for membership by submit­ ting to the IWBA a letter of application stating their reasons for wishing member­ El Segundo, CA 90245 ship and including two letters attesting to their integrity and good character from IWBA members or persons who would qualify for IWBA membership in category 3) above. Acceptance by the IWBA Membership Committee and payment of the Te l. 310-640-6065 $40. dues will confer membership.

6) Persons who wish to receive the Wound Ballistics Review without becoming an IWBA member can be a "subscriber" by sending $40. and requesting the Jour­ nal without membership status.

Vol 2, No. 1 1995 54 INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The widespread misinformation and lack of be established. When a need exists with no understanding concerning ballistic injury are ready and recognized source of expertise, my­ well known to anyone who understands the sub­ thology fi lls the gap. ject and keeps up with the literature. The InternationalWo und Ballistics Asso­ The effects of penetrating projectiles on the ciation has been founded to fi ll these needs. body is of vital concern to trauma surgeons, By focusing its expertise upon the literature weapon designers and users, and those involved relating to wound ballistics, and publishing its with the forensic aspects of ballistic trauma. fi ndings, with commentary as needed, in the Ye t, we know of no organization that deals with Wo und Ballistics Review. The IWBA is com­ the subject exclusively and in depth. Papers prised of members possessing verified containing ballistic injury data appear in widely expertise in one or more aspects of wound bal­ scattered sources, since many groups include listics and the IWBA publishes a journal, the projectile effects peripherally in their inter­ Wo und Ballistics Review. By fo cusing its ex­ ests. However, in each source, these comprise a pertise upon the literature relating to wound very small percentage of the total papers - ballistics, the IWBA hopes to stimulate an in­ most containing numerous errors. Wo und bal­ creased awareness among editors, writers, and listics expertise is sparse, and human inertia readers and to help minimize future inaccura­ being what it is, once in print, errors are likely cies. Additionally, the InternationalWo und to go uncorrected. Even when discredited by Ballistics Association is prepared to offer ex­ letters to the editor, these substandard papers pertise to assist any publication concerned remain in the literature to mislead the unwary. with avoiding error and maintaining technical Effects of the persistently poor understand­ accuracy. ing of ballistic injury range from substandard In accordance with its scientific founda­ gunshot wound treatment to lessened law en­ tion, the IWBA encourages and demands forcement effectiveness. skepticism. We are convinced that only by en­ What needs to be done? First, the valid lit­ couraging active questioning, reevaluation and erature needs to be identified. This will give the verification of views, data and cherished be­ interested reader the scientific background ma­ liefs, etc. in the open literature can wound terial on which to build a solid understanding of ballistics be delivered from the chaos of its the subject. Next, an ongoing periodic critical "dark ages" to assume its full potential as review of the wound ballistics literature needs a science. to be initiated. Finally, an easily accessible Martin L. Fackler, MD, FACS source of wound ballistics expertise needs to President, IWBA