$20.00

INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

The Physiological Effects of Handgun Bullets

- Ken Newgard, MD Wound Ballistics Research of the Past Twenty Years: A Giant Step Backwards

- Martin L. Fackler, MD

The Advanced Combat RifleProgram: Weapons & Wound Ballistics

- AJexanderJason

An Inexpensive Downrange Chronograph System

- Lucien C. Haag

Police Handgun Ammunition Selection

- Martin L. Fackler, MD The Effect of Bullet Nose Shape on Expansion

- Gus Cotey, Jr.

VOLUME 1 NUMBER 3 FALL 1992 INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The widespread misinformation and lack of un­ build a solid understanding of the subject. Next, an derstanding concerningballistic injury are well ongoing periodic critical review of the wound ballis­ known to anyone who understands the subject and tics literature needs to be initiated. Finally, an easily keeps up with the literature. accessible source of wound ballistics expertise needs The effects of penetrating projectiles on the body to be established. When a need exists with no ready is of vital concern to trauma surgeons, weapon de­ and recognized source of expertise, mythology fills signers and users, and those involved with the the gap. forensic aspects of ballistic trauma. Yet, we know of The International Wound Ballistics Association no organization that deals with the subject exclu­ has been founded to fill these needs. The IWBA is sively and in depth. Papers containing ballistic comprised of members possessing verified expertise injury data appear in widely scattered sources, since in one or more aspects of wound ballistics and the many groups include projectile effects peripherally in IWBA publishes a journal, the Wo und Ballistics Re­ their interests. However, in each source, these com­ view. By focusing its expertise upon the literature prise a very small percentage of the total papers - relating to wound ballistics, the IWBA hopes to most containing numerous errors. Wound ballistics stimulate an increased awareness among editors, expertise is sparse, and human inertia being what it writers, and readers and to help minimize future inac­ is, once in print, errors are likely to go uncorrected. curacies. Additionally, the International Wound Even when discredited by letters to the editor, these Ballistics Association is prepared to offer expertise substandard papers remain in the literature to mislead to assist any publication concerned with avoiding the unwary. error and maintaining technical accuracy. Effects of the persistently poor understanding of The IWBA encourages and demands skepticism. ballistic injury range from substandard gunshot We are convinced that only by encouraging active wound treatment to lessened law enforcement effec­ questioning, reevaluation and verification of views, tiveness. data and cherished beliefs, etc. in the open literature What needs to be done? First, the valid literature can wound ballistics be delivered from the chaos of needs to be identified. This will give the interested its "dark ages" to assume its full potential as a sci­ reader the scientific background material on which to ence.

Martin L. Fackler, MD, FACS President, IWBA

1 JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION I

INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

Literature Review & Comment WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW Book Review: Te xtbook of Military Medicine: JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION Conventional Waifare, Ballistic, Blast and Burn Injury...... 43 - Martin L. Fackler, MD VOLUME 1 NUMBER 3 WINTER 1992 Membership Roster ...... : ...... 46

TABLE OF CONTENTS IWBA Charter Board

...... Instructions to Authors ...... 4 BG J.P.L. Breteau, DVM Martin L. Fackler, MD Alexander Jason Chief, Surgical Research Lab Surgeon & Consultant Ballistics Consultant Association News ...... 5 French Army Medical Corps. Gainesville, FL USA Pinole, CA USA Marseilles, France

Reader's Forum ...... 6 Beat P. Kneubuehl Douglas Lindsey, MD, DrPH Karl Sellier, MD, Dipi.-Physicist Head of the Professor of Surgery, Emeritus Professor Scientific Staff University of Arizona Institute of Forensic Medicine Editorial Defense Procurement Group 2 Phoenix, Arizona USA Bonn, Germany Ballistics Division The Body Armor Standards Controversey ...... 8 Thun, Switzerland - Alexander Jason

Articles The IWBA is an IRS 501 (c) (3) non-profit scientific, educational, and public benefit California corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible; Tax ID# 94-3136817. The IWBA is comprised of The Physiological Effects of Handgun Bullets ...... 12 scientists, physicians, criminalists, law enforcement members, engineers, researchers, -- Ken Newgard, MD and others engaged or interested in the study of wound ballistics. Wound Ballistics Research of the Past Twenty Years: A Giant Step Backwards ...... 18 Editor-in-Chief: Martin L. Fackler -Martin L. Fackler, MD Managing Editor: Alexander Jason

The Advanced Combat Rifle Program: Weapons & Wound Ballistics ...... 25 Journal Design & Production: A. Jason - Alexander Jason Subscription Information An Inexpensive Downrange Chronograph System ...... 29

-Lucien C. Haag U.S. individual and institutional subscriptions: $40 per year. Canadian Subscriptions: $48 per year. Air mail foreign subscriptions: $58 per year. Police Handgun Ammunition Selection ...... 32 Single copy sales: $20 plus $4 postage and handling for U.S. and $6 for foreign orders. - Martin L. Fackler, MD

The Effect of Bullet Nose Shape on Expansion ...... 38 The WO UND BALLISTICS REVIEW: The Journal of the International Wo und Ballistics Association - Gus Cotey, Jr. (ISSN 1055-0305) is published quarterly by the IWBA, PO Box 634, Pinole, CA 94564. Telephone (510) 273-9596, Fax (510) 724-0733. ©Copyright 1992, IWBA. All Rights Reserved.

2 3 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION Association News 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. 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 short reviews which correct errors noted in the literature. Association News

The review of all manuscripts reporting original work will be open; the names of reviewers will either appear with the 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 "Adequate Ammunition List:" ing into account a worst-case scenario in which a the property of IWBA. When an article is selected for publication, the author(s) will be required to sign a copyright transmit­ bullet has to penetrate several bones and a large tal which also attests to the originality of the material submitted. A Proposed New Journal amount of soft tissue.

The experiment described in any paper must represent good scientific method. Complete methodology must be pre­ Feature Ammunition which has been tested in calibrated sented so that the reader can duplicate the experiment exactly. One of the most common requests we receive tissue simulant by IWBA members or others knowl­

Work must be based on basic solid understanding of projectile-tissue interaction. Results must be reported completely to from law enforcement concern the performance of a edgeable in testing methodology and analysis will be permit meaningful comparison. In experimental animal wounds, for example, a clear and thorough quantitative description of particular type of ammunition -- especially new included in the list. The testing for inclusion on the the observed damage must be included; i.e., was the bone fractured? Were major vessels disrupted? How big was the en­ brands or models. We recognize that there is a need list will be relatively simple and will not require the trance? The exit? What is the appearance of the projectile path (penetration depth, size and morphology of damage to organs, for objective evaluation of ammunition and while we penetration of wood, metal, glass, etc. as in the FBI etc.)? This information is mandatory to allow meaningful correlation of the wound reported to military as well as civilian encourage users to test the performance of their own ammunition testing -- only tissue simulant. Although wounds. ammunition, we plan to begin a new feature in this our proposed criteria are less stringent, we intend the

The entire paper must be expressed in language understandable to the layman. Journal -- the "Adequate Ammunition List" (AAL) list to be regarded as a general guideline to effective which will provide basic performance data on ammu­ ammunition, not as a definitive evaluation. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS nition which has been properly tested. Because ammunition manufacturers often mak� Our intention is to provide a page or two in each un-announced medications to their products, we intend 1. If submitting a letter or review which refutes or points out errors in another work, please provide the address of the issue which will list law enforcement handgun ammu­ to include a warning stating that the AAL cannot be source (please include a copy of the article reviewed--these will be returned if requested); IWBA will notify the editor of the applied to all lots and variants of a particular model of source, pending correction, inviting a rebuttal to be published with the review if one is submitted. nition which has been found to be "adequate." We will not be rating ammunition with relative point val­ ammunition. 2. In submitting original work, the manuscript and one copy are requested ; one set of glossy illustrations is required; ues as the gun magazines and certain federal entities At present, we do not plan to include a list of "In­ black & white is preferred. Author's name must be clearly identified on the title page with address and telephone number. like to do. We believe that -- in regard to wound bal­ adequate Ammunition." Manuscript must be double-spaced with ample margins (at least one inch on all sides) on standard (8 112" x 11") paper. NOTE: listics -- the important features of ammunition are: We invite comment and suggestions on this pro­ THE PREFERRED MANUSCRIPT FORM IS THE 3 112" (1.44 Meg or 720K) or 5 114" (1.2 Meg ) PC FLOPPY DISK WITH posal from our members. If you have any ideas on the A PAPER COPY. Most major PC word processors are acceptable but WordPerfect 5.0 or 5. 1 is preferred. (Do not send data in • ·· merits or weaknesses of the Adequate Ammunition Samna or Ami Pro format: please convert to WordPerfect or ASCII format.) Macintosh floppies are also acceptable with text Penetration In order to be effective in in ASCII format. PLEASE DO NOT PROVIDE COMPUTER TEXT WITH SPECIAL FONTS OR LAYOUTS: PLAIN, worst case scenarios, a bullet should be capable of List, please let us know. SIMPLE TEXT WITHOUT INDENTS, TABS, LINES OR GRAPHICS. Any graphs, tables, charts, etc should be supplied as penetrating at least 12" of tissue. separate files and/or with a clean, high-quality paper copy.

• Expansion ·· A bullet designed to expand 3. References are to be numbered sequentially within the text and appear in the order cited at the conclusion of the article. in tissue should do so. While this requirement may DQN•T FORGET: Examples: appear obvious, there are a surprising number of Book : Black KE, Jederberg WW. Athymic nude mice and human skin grafting. Maibach HI, Lowe IN, Your .. one year .. eds. Models in Dermatology: vol 1. Basel: S Karger, 1984;226-239. hollow-point or soft-point bullets on the market which do not expand in tissue. subscription is good for 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. • four issues of the Over-Penetration .. A handgun bullet for law enforcement use should not penetrate be­ 4. Legends for all illustrations should be listed in order, double-spaced. Journal. yond 20" of tissue. Allowing for penetration of (No matler how long 1t takes us to get four issues out.) 5. An abstract of 150 words or less should preceed the text. 20" should provide a sufficient safety margin tak- jL_ _ _ . ------_I Winter/92 5 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

Reader's Forum

To The Editor Response I found your last issue (No.2) very valuable. I am We thankyo u for yourletter and in regard to IMPORTANT with a large law enforcement agency in the Midwest your requestabc,nit ammunition selection; ourne�t and I find that there is a lot of misconception and con­ is .ue willinc]od� a secti,on listingl aw enforO,t(ment flicting opinions on what is the best ammunition to han9gunammunition w:_!ricl�we believeis likelyto use in different situations. I think your journal is the performadeq.uatelY,, We r:ec0 gni�e.tbe:p1"obtem only source of good information on the subject and I that exists w.j!:Q:mo_s,t o_f [Qe info..rmation .a�ailab.le would hope to see more articles on which ammo is abptlt·amrnuniti0n performance c::oming.ftern: �un The IWBA address has changed. best and why. magazine �tets wbo are}0Jten paiGL Q:Yamm�­ t�mn�Olamtf�oturer to w#fe the hJJ"e)(iews;" from

I have been fo llowing the body armor standards an.ee'dotru ''warstorie: ,'' "l'!eoret" i:la�a·'Gdllectiens The new address is: you discussed in the first issue and I would very much and ot:hetstrcb mp;el,iaQ.l� S�I;Jl"c�. Op� a· . tpe. appreciate being kept informed of whatever is happen­ priine .t;easons for t:he fmmding,of theIWBA was IWBA ing. The people in our department who are responsible to p�Ci>Y:iCle•a n objeetiy¢, ·scientific:SSi)urpe o� dat� 0n for purchasing body armor really don't understand the �mmJimitli;m pe�!l)l!mqne.e and. related topics. technical details of the testing and the certification @n,the b0d}l a!mor stmtfufrd:S: P.O. BOX 634 process. They have admitted to me that while they be :U.S. G�ngless1 bftiit;le ofTe�. b.ology As­ know that there are big problems with the current NIJ se. ssme.n:L CO�) has cempletell its· tifcly O:f>the PINOLE, CA 94564 standard, they are just afraid to purchase armor which issu€ lrnd has·c�mGluded-fhat t11e NalionalJii'stitute does not meet the NIJ standard. Their feeling is that if 0f Justic;:e's'Qedy arme,r standard is.{lawed �in they specify that all armor tested must meet NIJ specs, need of revJsi6n. An editocla.I diseussing thi IS · , lss. ue ef the then they have covered themselves. ·feat;ured i.nthis, Journal. AJ (The telephone: 510-273-9596 As someone who has to wear a vest on a daily ba­ sis, I know that the NIJ standard is really meaningless and FAX: 510-724-0733 numbers have not changed.) and most of the officers I work with wear non-NIJ cer­ Send us tified armor as it is much more practical. What we need is some documentation we can use to convince YOUR comments! our purchasing people to disregard the NIJ spec's and just buy good armor. Wound Ballistics Review

Please don't print my name and department. I don't welcomes comments need the grief. and suggestions from

Name Withheld our readers.

6 FaW92 FaiV92 7 """"'

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

tant as this requirement severely affects the comfort of "Enacting H.R. 322 is not necessary to assure a vest. The OTA commented, consumers that production units ...con fo rm to ... program managers' refusal to accept criticism and to "team" has not yet been organized but we are hopeful certification or have acceptable ballistic resistance. A make the changes required to restore confidence and that it will lead to a new, scientifically valid standard "In summary, there is an apparently small but voluntary quality control program would sufficefo r validity in their body armor standards. The OTA's but only if it can be lead and staffed by people more unquantified risk that non-wet-tested armor might be that. " IS year and a half long, $200,000 study itself is clear evi­ interested in making improvements than in pretending wetted enough to be degraded and then shot. How­ dence of the NIJ's mis-management. that there never was a problem. ever, wet-tested armor might be worn less often than A competent, responsive management would The NIJ will, no doubt, attempt to somehow put a THE REAL PROBLEM non-wet-tested armor. There is no compelling evi­ have solved this dispute long ago by taking note of the positive spin on the OTA report and use the OTA's dence that requiring wet-testing costs more lives than To completely revise the flawed NIJ standard, many inconsistencies and flaws and making the cor­ recommendations for more research as a means of in­ it saves, but neither is there a compelling rationale more research will need to be performed. But in order rections themselves -- instead of stonewalling all creasing its budget and authority. But it must not be for continuing to require armor to be tested wet, as to avoid repeating the errors of the past, it is important attempts at improvements and trying to quash critics forgotten that the NIJ' s original position was that there the current standard does. Revis- to understand how these errors by seeking criminal penalties for anyone not fo llowing was no need to make any changes in its standard. NIJ ing the NIJ standard to allow occurred and were allowed to their directives. The resultant frustration and lack of management (and the National Institute of Standards armor to be tested wet or dry remain uncorrected: confidence in the NIJ by the law enforcement commu­ and Technology's (NIST) Law Enforcement Standards would allow purchasers to choose "The NIJ was the The Body Armor Stan­ nity is what brought the OTA into this controversy. Laboratory) has demonstrated its inability to compe­ armor that they believe offers the dards program began with There are many technical disputes among manufactur­ tently administer the body armor standards program; it cause of the prob­ most protection, considering wear admirable goals and, in the ers, users, and regulatory agencies yet very, very few is highly unlikely that it will be able to correct the de­ rate as well as ballistic resis­ lem; it is not likely early stages, it did the best become subjects of an OTA study. ficiencies it consistently refused to recognize. tance, and considering local and with the data and resources Although the OTA was free to study and comment We believe the law enforcement community de­ personal fa ctors, such as climate to contribute available. But as the years on all scientific and technical aspects of the contro­ serves a more able, responsive, and technically and type of duty." 13 (emphasis passed and bureaucratic versy, it is a governmental entity which must operate enlightened management of its body armor stan­ added.) constructively to fiefdoms and hierarchies were within political constraints. Specifically, the OTA can dards. The NU was the cause of the problem; it is not comment on the competence of other federal enti­ not likely to contribute constructively to the solu­ the solution. " created, the program' s basic goal of protecting law enforce- ties nor can it suggest that the authority to supervise a tion. NEED FOR LEGISLATION: ment officers was overtaken by Congressionally mandated project be withdrawn. This REFERENCES 1. Jason, A., Fackler, M.L., "Body Annor Standards: A Review and Analysis," One of themost important is- a bureaucratic passion to resist is regrettable because although the OTA performed a Wound Ballistics Review,Vol !, No.l,:l5. be­ valuable service by identifying many problems within sues addressed by the OTA was the NIJ' s attempt to any and all criticism. "We Never Make Mistakes" 2. Office of Technology Assessment, "Police Body Annor Standards and Test­ pass legislation which would give the NIJ the author­ came the NIJ' s operational motto as the program NIJ' s body armor standards, it was unable to address ing," Volume I, OTA-ISC-534, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, August, 1992. Pl3. ity to enforce their standards by fe deral law. The OT A administrators reacted with hostility to even the most the root cause of the faulty standards and the resultant 3. Ibid, Pl4 could not offer recommendations on such matters; it benign suggestions that there were flaws in their pro­ controversy: the inability of NIJ management to effec­ 4. Ibid, Pl6 could only present "options" discussing the benefits cedures or that new data might be worthy of tively administer the program. 5. Office of Technology Assessment, "Police Body Annor Standards and Test­ and drawbacks of the proposed law. Although striving consideration. ing," Volume II, Appendix C, OTA-ISC-534, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, August, 1992. P53. to be neutral, the OTA concluded, Another Federal agency which contributed greatly WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? to the problem th rough its own technical incompe­ 6. Statements made by Lester Shubin, NIJ Director of Science and Technology, at NIJ Body Armor Users Workshop, 6 June 1990; and Micheal A. Goldfarb, MD, at "Authorizing legislation should consider possible The OTA is a branch of Congress; the NIJ, partof tence and steadfast refusal to admit error was the OTA Advisory Panel Meeting, Wash., DC, 13 Nov 1991. the Executive branch under the Department of Justice. conflicts a/jurisdiction ... " with other fe deral agen­ National Institute of Standards and Technology's 7. WBR (see Note!,) Page 24. This means that the OTA's findings are only sugges­ cies and that "Enacting H.R.322 would not settle the (NIST) Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory 8. OTA (see Note 2,) Page 21. standards controversy and might exacerbate it. We do (LESL). The LESL is the agency which created stan­ tions and options for legislators; not directives. The 9. WBR, Page 21. not know whether the Act would save more lives than dards for police handguns ana shotguns and then Executive Branch, from the President to the Attorney 10. OTA, Page 10. the current regime of voluntary compliance with the announced that each and every brand and model of General to the Director of the NIJ can choose to ignore II. OTA, Page 25.

14 12. OTA, Page 27. Nil standard. " fi rearm they tested failed its new standards. Both the the OT A or it can decide to utilize the findings to law enforcement community and the firearm manufac­ make the needed revisions. 13. OTA, Page 29. 14. OTA, Page 40. The OTA also pointed out that there was no real turers have since completely ignored LESL. The Senate Judiciary Committee has issued a 15. OTA, Page 15. need for the legislation, The NIJ' s technical errors and flaws could be fo r­ statement calling for the armor industry and the Jus­ tice Department to "form a team to undertake an effort 16. Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate, Joint Statement, Wash., DC, 12 given and forgotten but what should not be is the NIJ August, 1992. to fully resolve the standards and testing .."16 This 17. OTA, Press Release, 12 August, 1992. 10 Fall/92 Fall/92 11 I WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW Physiological Effects WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

rary cavity due to their inelasticity lacking elastic tis­ ing will depend on the size and shape of the wound, THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS sue. These include the brain, spleen, liver and bones.3 the number of vascular structures damaged, the size of Nevertheless, damage from the temporary cavity to the damaged vessel, the blood pressure within the ves­ OF HANDGUN BULLETS these organs is limited. sel and the effects of surrounding tissue structures. Instantaneous neutralization is impossible with non-central nervous system wounds. Even when bul­ TWO PHYSIOLOGICAL TYPES OF WOUNDS The Mechanisms of Wounding and lets strike the heart or major blood vessels, the The only method of reliably stopping a human adversary may not be affected for many seconds or with handgun bullets is to decrease the functioning even minutes. Studies of civilian populations demon­ Incapacitation capability of the central nervous system (C.N.S.) and strate that most persons with gunshot wounds to the specifically, the brain or cervical spinal cord. There heart survive if they reach a hospital in a reasonable

are two ways in which to accomplish this goal: 1) di­ amount of time.5 6 Table 1 shows the mortality rate in Ken Newgard, M.D. rect trauma to the C.N.S. tissue resulting in tissue a civilian population of gunshot and knife wounds to destruction and 2) lack of oxygen to the brain caused the heart. A gunshot wound to the thoracic aorta An examination of the effect of handgun bullets will be common knowledge to many readers of this by bleeding and loss would cause the upon the human body shows that immediate inca­ Journal. I will then discuss the physiology of blood of blood pressure. greatest sudden TABLE 1 pacitation cannot be reliably expected even after loss and shock and finally review the literature on Bullet wounds to blood loss and a rela- PENETRATING WOUNDS OF THE HEART disruption of vital organs. length of survival times of fatal gunshot wounds. the brain are com­ tively fast Houston, Texas, 1961 to 1971 monly thought to NUMBEROF PATIENTS NUMBER OF DEATHS MORTALITYRATE incapacitation. How­

When a law enforcement officer shoots a suspect, it is cause instant cessa­ (Percent) ever, because the TERMINAL BALLISTICS his or her purpose to stop the current activity of the tion of activity. STAB 192 21"/o thoracic aorta is a suspect in order to prevent death or severe bodily A bullet causes injury primarily by crushing tissue Although this is true WOUNDS long but very narrow as it penetrates.1•2 The space once occupied by the much of the time, harm to himself or other innocent persons. How many GUNSHOT n 27 36"/o target it, is not often crushed tissue is called the permanent cavity. Injury of shots should an officer fire to achieve this objective? there are cases where WOUNDS hit and therefore has There is a large disparity in tissue may be augmented by bullet expansion -- or bullet wounds to the a low rate of injury, Data from Beall, A.C., etall: Penetrating Wounds of the Heart. J.Trauma, 1972;12;468 what is taught relative to this bullet yaw in non- expanding brain have not inca­ less than 10% in question in police academies, bullets.3A These variables of pro­ pacitated the subject. most studies. 7 training schools, and military jectile terminal performance In the experience of the author these usually involve How is a person able to survive wounds of major units. The range varies from expand the size of the permanent injuries to the brain's frontal lobe which controls the vessels or the heart? Controlled blood loss is only one one shot to the maximum car­ cavity. body's non-critical functions such as memory, analyti­ half of the story. The other half is A phenomenon tridge capacity of the firearm. cal thinking, etc. The only wounds which result in called "physiologic compensation." This paper attempts to answer Another cause of injury is immediate cessation of activity are those that cause this question using a physi­ by the radial stretching of tissue destruction of essential brain matter such as the brain COMPENSATORY MECHANISMS IN ological approach, and around the bullet path producing stem or the cervical spinal cord which control the ba­ 1 HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK incorporating what is known a temporary cavity. Because of sic survival functions such as breathing and heart beat about bullet wound trauma. tissue elasticity within the body, rhythm. In 1895 Warren described hemorrhagic shock as Although much of this infor­ much of the temporary cavity Non- central nervous system wounds are far more "a momentary pause in the act of death."8 Shock, he mation applies to all types of weapons, I am referring potential for damage will be nullified by the stretching commonly seen and are variable in the amount of in­ wrote, is "a clinical syndrome involving widespread here to handgun bullets because these are the most of the elastic fibers and will not contribute to tissue capacitation they produce. Here, the disruption of cellular dysfunction as a result of the inadequate deliv­ common weapons in use by police today. injury. Most often the temporary cavity of handgun blood vessels and organ tissue causes blood loss. The ery and use of oxygen, yielding the subsequent release A discussion of physiological effects of bullets bullets is too small to significantly contribute to the blood loss in turn leads to a lowering of blood pres­ of pharmacologically active cell metabolites."9 Shock would not be complete without a cursory review of wounding mechanism. Certain organ tissue within the sure (hypotension) and when the blood flow is is not an ali- or- nothing phenomenon but occurs over terminal wound ballistics - although this discussion body are more susceptible to damage from the tempo- insufficient to deliver adequate amounts of oxygen to time with a progressive degree of detriment to the in­ the brain, unconsciousness results. The rate of bleed- dividual. For our purposes we are looking at the effect

12 FaW92 FaiV92 13 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION Physiological Effects JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

ties and the non-critical (in terms of immediate sur­ of hemorrhagic shock to the brain since this is the or­ tilted back to the upright position. Fig 1 and table 2 tation to occur is difficult to predict, one point is per­ vival) organs such as the liver, spleen, and bowels. gan most sensitive to a reduction in oxygen supply. demonstrate that adequate blood pressure can be main­ fectly clear, with wounds which do not disrupt the The forces goveming fluid movement across pe­ There are a number of compensatory mechanisms tained with minimal symptoms until a 20% blood central nervous system, significant amounts of time ripheral capillary membranes were initially described that occur with the initiation of blood loss. The initial volume deficit was reached. 17 can elapse between receiving the wound and uncon­ by Starling.12 When bleeding causes blood pressure to response and is by blood pressure sensors (barorecep­ For an average 70 kg male the cardiac output will sciousness. This correlates with what we observe in a fall, body fluid enters the capillaries from the sur­ tors) in the heart and great vessels. This results in an be 5.5 L. per minute. His trauma unit. rounding tissue and replenishes the vascular volume. increase of two hormones: norepinephrine and epi­ blood volume will be 60 The amount of fluid transferred from tissue into the nephrine (adrenaline) in the bloodstream. The release c.c.s per kg or 4200 cc. vascular system is proportional to the volume deficit SURVIVAL TIMES OF of these hormones results in a faster heart beat and an Assuming that his cardiac and is significant.13 In Viet Nam, injured soldiers were FATAL GUNSHOT increase in the heart muscle's contractive force which output can double under shown to demonstrate transcapillary refill rates well in WOUNDS* causes an increase in cardiac output. The low volume stress (as his heart beats excess of mllhr. 14 of blood is detected by sensors in the carotid vessels 1000 faster and with greater Survival time of fatal gun­ (which carry blood to the brain,) and by sensors in the force), his aortic blood shot victims is difficult to heart which send signals through the nervous system HUMAN TOLERANCE OF BLOOD LOSS flow can reach 111. per determine with extreme accu­ to initiate compensatory action. This action - the re­ minute. If one assumes a racy due to the number of Because of the described mechanisms, the body lease of the two hormones into the blood stream - wound that totally severs uncontrolled variables in­ can compensate for some blood loss. Healthy young results in a constriction (narrowing) of the venous sys­ the thoracic aorta, then it volved and the inherent persons can tolerate a sudden loss of approximately tem. Since 60% of the circulating blood volume would take 4.6 seconds to observation inaccuracies of 25% of their blood volume blood loss in the supine � resides in the venous system (10), constriction of the loose 20% of his blood g random events occurring in veins will compensate for the mild blood loss without (flat on the back) position without-significant effect15 0 volume. This is the mini- " the field. For our purposes ex­ causing other changes in the body. and without permanent injury. However with blood "' mum time in which a � treme accuracy is not needf;d. loss greater than 25% (which is about 1 liter) of total � Because Cardiac Output (C.O.) equals Mean Arte­ person could loose 20% We only wish to determine if volume, the compensation mechanism described rial Pressure (M.A.P.) minus Central Venous Pressure of his blood volume from the person who was shot had (C.V.P.) divided by Total Peripheral Resistance above will not be adequate to keep the brain and heart Percent of blood volume dellclt one point of injury. How 1111 Vascular resistance (R) enough time to shoot back. (T.P.R.), supplied with sufficient oxygen. The progression of many shots could be fired Figure 1 liJ Blood pressure (P) Two studies address this is- this condition will lead to irreversible shock and in this 4.6 seconds? A EllCard lac output (Q} sue. death. C.O.=M.A.P.-C.V.P.tr.P.R. marginally trained person Levy18 looks at the activ­ There are differences in the blood pressure re­ can aim and fire at a rate of two shots per second. (un­ ity of the gunshot and knife victims who eventually quirements for a person laying flat and for a person in and; published data) In 4.6 seconds there could easily be died in Dade County in 1983. This obviously selects a standing position. In the standing position, a greater nine shots of return fire before the assailant's activity for the more severe injuries since only persons who blood pressure is required for the blood to reach the Total Peripheral Resistance equals Mean Arterial is neutralized. This analysis does not account for oxy­ died fromtheir wounds were included in the study. brain and therefore a smaller amount of blood loss will Pressure minus Central Venous Pressure divided by gen contained in the blood already perfusing the brain, The data in Table 3 shows the percentage of persons be tolerated by a standing person. The exact quantity Cardiac Output, that will keep the brain functioning for an even longer who survived longer than five minutes after being of·blood loss that a person can tolerate before collaps­ period of time. shot. The percentage of gunshot victims who survived ing is difficultto determine and is dependent on age, Most wounds will not bleed at this ratebecause: five minutes or more after receiving ultimately fatal health, activity, presence or absence of drugs and alco­ T.P.R.=M.A.P.-C.V.P./C.O. 1) bullets usually do not transect (completely sever) injuries was 64% with chest and abdominal injuries hol, and psychological state. However, testing of blood vessels, 2) as blood pressure falls, the bleeding and 36% with head and neck injuries. In addition, they healthy, young persons by means of laying them on a slows, 3) surrounding tissue acts as a barrier to blood present individual cases of persons with severe inju­ flatboard and then varying the tilt from horizontal to as T.P.R. increases, M.A.P. can be maintained by loss, 4) the bullet may only penetrate smaller blood ries, including bullet wounds of the heart, undertaking vertical has determined that symptoms and signs of decreasing C.O. Maintenance of blood flow to the vessels, 5) bullets can disrupt tissue without hitting strenuous physical activity before dying. hemorrhage are unpredictable until 1000 c.c.s of blood heart and brain is also protected by selective, sympa­ any major blood vessel resulting in a slow ooze rather are lost. 16 With this quantity of blood loss, a change *Survival time relates only to persons who received fatal gunshot thetic nervous system activity which constricts and than rapid bleeding, and 6) the above mentioned in heartrate greater than 30 beats per minute or sig­ wounds; it should not be confused with gunshot victims who consciously reduces blood flow in vessels supplying the extremi- physiologic compensatory mechanisms. nificant symptoms were observed when patients were fall down, faint, or otherwise surrender. Those reactions are based on psy­ Although the amount of time it takes for incapaci- chological factors, not the phiosological factors discussed in this article.

Fall/92 14 Fall/92 15 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION Physiological Effects JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICSASSOCIATION

continue to be a threat after receiving an eventually TABLE 2 fatal wound, thus necessitating more rounds being REFERENCES Changes Seen in Acute Hemorrhage fired in order to incapacitate or stop the assailant. How many times is it necessary to shoot an assail­ 1. Fackler M.L.: Wo und Ballistics A Review of Common Misconcep­ tions. JAMA 1988;259:2730 -2736 ant before he is incapacitated? Although shooting Signs and Symptomatology Blood loss Vascular Response Endocrine Response 2. Lindsey D: The Idolatry of Velocity, or Lies, Damn Lies, and Bal­ si tuations vary tremendously, the correct answer is listics. J Trauma 1980;20: 1068-1069 Mild Contraction of capacitance Minimal Narrowing of pulse pressure clearly to continue shooting as long as an officer be­ 3. Hollerrnan J.J. et a!: Gunshot Wo unds: 1. Bullets, Ballistics, and (O% to 20%) system Hypotension (90 to 1 00) Fast heart rate lieves he is still threatened by his adversary. An Mechanisms of Injury. AJR 1990;155:685-690 Sweating officer in a life threatening situation he should aim and 4. Fackler M.L., et a!: Bulletfr agmentation: A Major Cause of Tissue Disruption. J Trauma 1984;24:35-39 fire as many rounds as tactically feasible. No absolute 5. Mandai AK et a!: Unusual Low Mortality of Penetrating Wounds of Moderate Arteriolar constriction Aldosteron Decreased urine output liinit can be set since the officer has no way of know­ the Chest. Twelve Years Experience. J Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery (20% to 30%) Narrowed pulse pressure Antidiuretic hormone Anxiety ing what organ tissue his rounds are disrupting and if Jan 1989;97(1): 119-125 Reduced cardiac output Catecholamines Hypotension (app. 60 mm Hg) (Epinephrine and Cool, clammy skin compensatory mechanisms will allow the assailant to 6. Beall, A. C., et al: Penetrating Wounds of the Heart. J, Trauma Norepinephrine) Obtundation 1972; 12:468 continue fighting. The officer has no way of determin­ 7. Rich NM, Spencer FC: Vascular Trauma. WB Saunders ing if an assailant is about to immediately collapse or 1978:428,442 Severe Hypotension Marked liberation of Shortness of breath to continue his actions for 4, 5, 10 or more seconds. 8. Gross, SO: System fo r Surgery, 1850. Cited in Mann, FC:Bull. (> 30%) Drastic reduction of catecholamines Coma cardiac output Death The only indicator he can use is the assailant's re­ Johns Hopkins Hosp. 25:205, 1914 sp onse: as long as he continues to be a threat, the 9. Rosen P., et al:Emergency Medicine, Concepts and Clinical Prac­ Reprinted from Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Review by T.C. Kravis et al. p.74, with permission of Aspen Publications, tice. The C.V. Mosby Co. 1983:129 lnc.,1 983 officer should continue to fire until he can perceive 10. Milnor, WR: Cardiovascular System. In Mountcastle, VB editor: that the assailant is no longer capable of continuing Medical Physiology, ed. 14, St. Louis, 1980, The C.V . Mosby Co.

his life- threatening actions. 11. Slater,GI: Sequential Changes in Distribution of Cardiac Output , The implications of the above information are not in Hemorrhagic Shock. Surgery 1973;73:714-722 12. On the Fluids of the Body. 1909, TABLE 3 trivial. Persons writing police department policies on Starling EH: Chicago, WT Keener and Co. the use of lethal force, firearm instructors, forensic sci­ Survival Time of More Than 5 Minutes 13. Pruitt, BA, et al: Ef ficacy of Buffered Saline as the Sole Replace­ entists, lawyers litigating shooting cases, police ment Fluid Following Acute Measured Hemorrhage in Man. J, Trauma investigators, expert witnesses in criininal and civil 1967;7:767 With chest and/or With head and/or 14. Moss GS, et a!: Traumatic Shock in Man. N. Engl. J, Med abdominal injuries neck injuries cases and the news media must take the physiological 1974;290:724 response to bullet wounds into consideration when Stab wound victims 6(50%) 6(50%) 15. Auidema GO, et al: The Initial Evaluation and Resuscitation of performing their respective duties or drawing judg­ the Injured Patient. In Zuidema, GO, et al, editors: The Management Gunshot victims 53 (64%) 30 (36%) mental conclusions. Also, a summary of this oiTrauma, ed. 3, Philadelphia, 1979, W.B. Saunders Co. 16. Use of the Tilt Te st in Measuring Acute Blood information should be part of every police officer's Knopp R, et a!: Reprinted witn permission from Levy, V. et al: Survival Time in Gunshot and Stab Wound Victims. Loss. Ann Emerg Med. Feb 1980; 9:29-32 The American Journalof Fo rensic Medicine and Pathology, 1 988;9(3): 215-217. education. 17. Kravis TC et a!: Emergency Medicine A Comprehensive Review: Aspen Publication 1983:74

18. Survival Time in Gunshot and Stab Wo und Victims. I • Levy V. et al: The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 1988;9(3): Similar cases were presented by Spitz. 19 Again, for CONCLUSION ACKNOWLEDGMENT 215-217 a person to succumb from non central nervous system 19. Spitz WV et a!: Physical Activity Until Collapse Following Fatal Instantaneous incapacitation is not possible with The author wishes to thank Phyllis Dowling, Daniel E. Bates, Ph.D. Injuryby Firearmsand Sharp Pointed We apons. J Forensic Sci 1961; gunshot wounds takes a considerable length of time and MartinL. Fackler, M.D. for theirassistance in the preparation of this non central nervous system wounds and does not al­ 6:290-300 relative to the time it takes an assailant to return fire manuscript. ways occur with central nervous system wounds. The multiple times. intrinsic physiologic compensatory mechanisms of hu­ mans makes it difficult to inhibit a determined, aggressive person's activities until he has lost enough blood to cause hemorrhagic shock. The body's com­ Ken Newgard is an anesthesiologist and a reserve pensatory mechanisms designed to save a person' s life Deputy with the Orange County, CA Sheriff's Dept. after sustaining a bleeding wound, allow a person to

FaW92 16 Fall/92 17 -

WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WB: Past 20 Ye ars JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

shows wound profiles produced by two common mili­ better drainage need be undertaken. Such wounds usu­ tary rifle bullets compared with those produced by ally heal spontaneously within ten days. The high WOUND BALLISTICS projectiles of lesser velocity. Note that the disruption velocity bullet, unlike other projectiles, does not usu­ produced in the first part of their path, the only ally carry foreign matter into the tissues and tends to RESEARCH OF THE PA ST part that is involved in most extremity wounds, leave an aseptic track." does not differ significantly from that produced by Bailey, in 1942 10, advised that the " ... seton* the fa r lower velocity bullets. Thousands of these wound is innocuous, it should be left alone." Ferguson TWENTY YEARS: A GIANT STEP simple perforations of the extremity (Fig. 4) are seen et a!. 11, Slesinger 12, Crile 13, and Cope 14 made similar each year in our larger city civilian hospitals; the great observations, and Ogilvie 15, consultant surgeon to BACKWARDS majority of these wounds are treated with systemic an­ British forces in World War II, listed as his first "sin" tibiotics but little or no surgery -- they heal well 5• of war surgery the unnecessary operations on through and through bullet Martin L. Fackler, M. D. wounds of lllSTORICAL the soft parts . A review of the wound ballistics literature shows REVIEW He wrote, the source of many misconceptions and invalid as­ INTRODUCTION Before "The maj or­ sumptions regarding both ballistic effects and The widespread misconception that "high-ve­ the wound ity of these medical treatment of gunshot wounds. locity" or "high-energy" projectiles invariably cause ballistics re­ with rest and 1•2 3.4. extensive damage has been addressed recently search that sulfonamide Wound ballistics research is supposed to aid the sur­ The critical reviews that have questioned this concept fo llowed the heal rapidly geon in providing optimal care for the wounded. in the past have gone relatively unheeded 5•6• Interest­ Vietnam con­ and leave no Twenty years ago, wounds from penetrating projec­ ingly, those who have questioned the "high-velocity/ flict, disability; tiles were likely to be treated in a rational and high-energy" concept of wounding (Lindsey, Hamp­ uncomplicated operation effective manner; today many surgeons are likely to ton, Fackler) have all had extensive combat surgery military rifle means loss remove excessive amounts of tissue in treating experience. wounds (and of time and wounds caused by what they suppose to be "high-ve­ Multiple penetrations by fragments from explo­ small frag­ loss of func­ locity" projectiles. sive devices are a common injury in most armed ment wounds Fig. 1. All of the fragments that caused these entrance wounds remained tion." The most common battlefield wound has a simple 16, conflicts. Figure 1 shows a soldier who has suffered for the most in the body, as is the case almost without exception. This indicates that King punctate entrance with tissue disruption limited to a the striking velocity was probably not over 1000 ftls (305 m/s). multiple fragment wounds. Fragments generally pen­ part) were also reporting on diameter no larger than the wounding projectile. The etrate less than 15 em in human soft-tissue; they cause treated with war wounds military rifle wound of the extremity, where the bullet a punctate entrance wound and track consistent with little or no sur- from South has not yet yawed, and virtually all individual wounds their size. Tissue surrounding their track is uninjured. gery -- they healed well. Compare Stevenson's advice Vietnam, wrote that "Uncomplicated perforating soft­ from explosive device fragments fall into this cat­ Figure 2 shows the wounding pattern produced by a in 1897 7 Against surgical interference with the bullet tissue wounds were the most common bullet wounds egory. Historically, this type of wound has healed steel sphere; fragments from explosive devices pro­ path in rifle wounds, with Theodor Kocher's observa­ of the extremities; They showed small entry and exit well, despite little or no treatment -- even in pre-anti­ duce similar wounding patterns, with the maximum tions from World War I 8, that the minimal damage wounds and a clean soft-tissue track with little or no biotic days. disruption near the entrance where the projectile ve­ produced by the rifle bullet allowed the wounds devitalisation of tissue. They usually healed if left Since the Vietnam era, the majority of wound bal­ locity is the highest. The last 15 em of projectile (" ...wie Verletzungen ohne hautwunde ausheilten.") to alone." listics "research" has been politically motivated. It has penetration shown in Figure 2, produces no signifi­ heal so well that it appeared as if they had no skin The author of this paper served in one of the used flawed methods to exaggerate wounding effects, cant temporary cavitation because the velocity is much wounds. busiest hospitals in South Vietnam (US Naval Support seriously confusing current doctrine. lower. This last portion of the proj ectile path illus­ Jolly, in 1941 9, noted "Many high-velocity bul­ Activity Hospital, DaNang) during the most active pe­ The amount, type, and location of tissue disrup­ trates the typical battlefield fragment wound. Military let wounds of soft parts have small punctured wounds riod of the Vietnam conflict (December 1967 to tion, determined objectively, and not the supposed rifle bullets cause this same type of wound, with negli­ of entrance and exit. Often such wounds do not require December 1968). Immediately thereafter he served velocity of the projectile, is the critical information gible cavitation, in the first partof their path operation; and if operation is performed, nothing more that should be used by the battlefield surgeon to deter­ * "Seton" or "en seton" is a medical term use to describe a punctate, through tissue, before the bullet yaws. Figure 3 than excision of the orifices of the track to provide mine treatment. perforating or "through and through" wound.

FalV92 18 FalU92 19 l

WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WB: Past 20 Ye ars JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

three years at the US Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Ja­ ing measuring scales on photographs to give the reader pan, caring for the combat casualties from South an objective means of comparing these wounds with Vietnam who were transported there by air soon after those caused by other weapons. their initial surgery. He was a delegate at the last two Remembering the political climate of that time,

Tri-Service War Surgery Conferences (1970, 1971) 17• and the fact that the Swedish government, as a part of The amount, type, and location of tissue disruption, its anti-war stance, was actively encouraging desertion determined by physical examination and appropriate by American soldiers and providing them refuge, it is x-ray studies was the information on which this author not surprising that Swedish interests saw in these re­ and his colleagues based their treatment of penetrating ports an opportunity to be exploited. They began a 1 war wounds 7 • program attempting to have the M-16 declared "inhu­ mane" and outlawed by international convention. The "research" done to support this program used methods ORIGINS OF CURRENT MISCONCEPTIONS that could easily be misinterpreted to make wounding If we didn't have any trouble treating the gun­ effects produced by the M-16 bullet appear worse than shot wounds of the Vietnam War why has this field those produced by other small-arms projectiles. For regressed so badly since then? In 1967, one small se­ example, shooting projectiles through small (14 em) ries of wounds caused by the then new M -16 assault blocks of tissue simulant, or the legs of 20 kg pigs in 8 9 rifle was reported 1 •1 • These wounds were described which the tissue path is even shorter, gives results that using such emotionally charged terms such as "mas­ can mislead. The photos in Berlin, et al (20) show a 15 18 sively destructive" and "devastating wounding em stellate exit wound caused by a 5.56 mm bullet 9 power ...trem endous wounding and killing power" 1 compared to one of only about 1 em caused by a 7.62 rather than reporting wound dimensions and/or includ- mm bullet, making the smaller bullet appear to have a .

Vel-3382 fls (1031 m/s 1 Wt-13.6 gr (0.9g m)

7.82 ft'lmNATO Vet- 2130 fll (812 m11) Wl-180gr(O.Jern) PMC

I I Fig. 2. Wound profile produced by a steel sphere. Observe that little or no cavitatioo�r-s-ffi- -1 the last 15 em of penetration. This last part of the sphere's path corresponds to what is ob- served in battlefield casualty, yet most wound ballistics researchers who use this projectile con­ centrate exclusively on the initial part of the path. The cavitation effects of the first part of the projectile path are not seen in fragment wounds of the wounded combat casualty and the cavi­ Fig. 3. Comparison of the first 12 em of the projectile path in the five wound profiles pictured tation effects produced by rifle bullets occur at a deeper depth of penetration. Although the s ows why th wounds from "high-velocity" rifle bullets may be no more disruptive than many sphere does produce easily repeatable results, unfortunately these results do not reproduce � � battlefield type wounds. simple extremity wounds caused by lowest velocity handgun bullet. I

20 Fall/92 Fall/92 21 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW : Past 20 Ye ars JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION WB JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

major emphasis appears to be on attracting participa­ sium (held in 1985 but not published until 1988); far greater wounding capacity. OBJECTIVE OBSERVERS SAW NO MORE tion and interest in the symposia; this has resulted in omitted a panel discussion in which data very critical Military bullets begin their tissue path traveling SEVERE WOUNDS FROM THE M-16 THAN greatly increasing the volume of data with no regard of Swedish research methods was presented; addition­ point forward. They yaw (turn sideways in relation to FROM OTHER SMALL-ARMS for the quality of this data.._ Serious contradictions in ally, none of the comments made from the floor on the their line of flight) at under 10 em to over 20 em pen­ The five Tri-Service Vietnamwar surgery con­ this work have gone unaddressed, e.g., two papers by papers presented (many of them critical of methods, etration depth, depending on the bullet. Even in ferences did not identify any special problems Swedish researchers concluded that the amount of conclusions, etc.) were included 34• groups of shots using the same type of bullet, varia­ associated with "high-velocity" projectile wounds. nonviable tissue around a projectile wound increases tions in the penetration depth at which the bullet yaws The last conference 17 listed "Topics suggested for fur­ with time 28•29; three papers from 21 other countries 30-32 the average . Th'ts means CONCLUSION can easily vary 25% from ther study," but no need to study penetrating reported contradictory findings. that in any group of shots with a given bullet there are projectiles (wound ballistics) was mentioned. The degree of exaggeration to be found is well Scientific work demands hard choices, separating likely to be some that yaw within these small targets; Scott 25, in a superbly comprehensive study illustrated by recomfuendations given by Rybeck 33• the valid from the unsound, the significant from the these will show large exit wounds. There will be oth­ which combined an outstanding historical review, He wrote that trivial, and the common from the rare. When this is ers that have not yet yawed; these will show minimal comparative shots into tissue simulant and in live ani­ " ...the clinical not done the wounds. Those with an interest in "proving" one bul­ mals at ranges up to 600m, and case reports of 70 experience [is] flawed works let less "humane" than another need only to shootings with the new 5.56 mm caliber, concluded, that tissues pile up, greatly photograph the appropriate exit wound. This variation "The experimental observations which I have made which have outnumbering also explains apparent inconsistencies in bullet effects. under widely varying circumstances do not indicate been subjected the valid ones; Nordstrand, et al 22, showed comparative microsecond that light weight rifle bullets inflict more severe to the formation repetition com­ x-ray pictures comparing the same type bullets that wounds than those caused by rifles in use since the of the temporary pounds the Berlin, et al.'s study 20 had indicated an apparently far early part of this century. My experience in the fi eld cavity after a problem and greater wounding effect for the 5.56 mm bullet. In this supports this conclusion." high velocity many are mis­ study 22 both bullets yawed and broke apart at the Albreht, et al. 26 did an extensive study shooting missile will not led. The sad same depth of penetration in a soap block, and the various military rifle bullets through the tied-together survive.", and legacy of the 7.62 mm bullet's disruptive effects were far thighs of 59-66 kg swine in order to study bullet ef­ " ...the tempo­ misguided stud­ greater. fects in a more realistic tissue thickness (25 em) than rary cavity, ies of the past By using enough tissue/tissue simulant to catch was used in the Swedish studies. Their findings were especially after twenty years can the entire projectile path, the entire potential of the clear; the 7.62 NATO bullet caused more damage than missiles travel­ be found in the projectile can be determined 23; nothing is hidden. the 5.56 mm M-16 bullet. ling at high faulty under­ Only presentation of the projectile's disruption pattern Bellamy 27 recently reviewed the information velocities, is Fig. 4. This through and tlu·ougb wound of the plantar surface of the foot standing of along its entire tissue path allows meaningful compari­ collected on approximately 1400 gunshot wound casu­ very large (30 was cau ed by an M-16 rifle bullet. De pite the "high-velocity' tissue dis­ wounding son of wounding potential between various projectiles. alties by the Wound Data and Munitions Effectiveness times the diam­ ruption wa minimal· almost indistiJ:,'Uishable from a .22 long l"ifle wound. mechanisms and Apparently overzealous in his attempt to justify Team (WDMET) in Vietnam. Wounds caused by the eter of the irrational treat­ the Swedish efforts; Berlin wrote, "During the 1960's M-16 rifle comprised about one fourth of these cases projectile) ...". Using this to calculate extent of the tis­ ment recommendations in recent surgical textbooks injuries of much greater severity were reported due to and Bellamy states unequivocally that they did not sue excision recommended for the wound shown in 35-38: The detrimentaleff ects are clear. Most wounds a new generation of small firearms." 24• Those who cause more severe wounding than other small arms Figure 4, for example (5.56 mm M-16 bullet diameter, seen on the battlefield are simple and have been wish to check will find that only two of the seven cita­ used in this conflict. multiplied by 30), we find a diameter of 16.68 em treated by simple means with good results for the past tions Berlin gives to support that statement do, in fact, (over 6 inches). Compare this with the experience of hundred years 5• 7-17• Since it has resulted in recommen­ support it; these two are by the same author 18• In fact, King, cited above 16, that this type of wound " ...usu­ dations for unnecessarily radical explorations and it appears that all the furor over the M-16, repeated SCOPE OF THE MISINFORMATION ally healed if left alone." The reader can judge for excision of tissue for all "high-velocity" projectile and amplified in many papers, originated from this Five International Wound Ballistics Symposia himself which treatment recommendation appears to 1 wounds, and assumptions that all battlefield wounds one source. 8 have been sponsored by the Swedish research group. be the more reasonable. fall into this category, the overall effect of thepast The proceedings of these symposia have been pub­ Rather than striving for a rational synthesis, cor­ twenty years of wound ballistics research can only be lished, and many readers assume that the information recting and striving to replace fl awed data with more considered a giant step backwards. It is hoped that this is valid scientific literature, selected by peer review. It valid work, those in control of the symposia have at­ documentation of the problem will stimulate correc- is not. Papers submitted to these symposia are ac­ tempted to suppress contrary information. For tive measures. cepted and published without critical review. The example, the printed Proceedings of the 5th Sympo-

Fall/92 Fall/92 23 22 r

WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WB: Past 20 Ye ars JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

20. Berlin R, Gelin LE, Janzon B, et al. Local effects of assault rifle REFERENCES bullets in live tissues. Acta Chir Sca!'ld; Suppl 459, 1976.

21. Fackler ML. Wo unding pattern of military rifle bullets. Int Def Rev Jan 1989;59-64 !.Owen-Smith MS. Wounds caused by theweapons of war. In: The Advanced Comb�t Rifle Program: Westaby S ed. Wound Care. London: Heinemann Medical Books, 22. Nordstrand I, Janzon B, Rybeck, B. Break-up behaviour of some 1985:112. small calibre projectiles when penetrating a dense medium.; Acta Chir Scand; Suppl 489:81-90, 1979. 2. Pilcher DB, Davis JH. Aorta and peripheralarteries. In: Davis Weapons & Wound Ballistics JH,Drucker WR, Foster RS Jr. et al. eds. Clinical Surgery . St. Louis: 23. Fackler ML,Malinowski JA. Th e wound profile: a visual method Mosby, 1987:21 17. fo r quantifying gunshot wound components. J Trauma 1985;25:522-529. 3. Fackler ML. What's wrong with the wound ballistics literature and 24. Berlin R. Energy transfe r and regional blood flow changes Alexander Jason why. Presidio of San Francisco, California: Letterman Army Institute of allowing missile trauma. ;J Trauma 1979;19:170-176. Research, July 1987; Institute Report No. 239. 25. Scott R. Projectile Trauma: an Enquiry into Bullet Wounds. t 4. Fackler ML. Wo und ballistics: A re view of common misconcep­ University College: Oxford, 1976. The U.S. Defense Department has terminated its caseless ammunition does not require an extractor or tions. JAMA 1988;259:2730-2736. 26. A1breht M, Scepanovic D, Ceramilac A, et al. Experimental unsuccessful attempt to develop a superior replace­ extraction cycle. The H&K rifle made good use of this 5. Hampton OP Jr. Th e indications fo r debridement of gunshot soft tissue wounds caused by standard military rifles. Acta Chir Scand; ment for the M16A2 rifle but their enthusiasm for feature to provide a three-round burst mode at a cyclic (bullet) wounds of the extremities in civilian practice. J Trauma Suppl 489:185-198, 1979. the inadequate flechette projectile continues. rate of 2,000 rounds per minute (33 rounds per sec­ 1961 ;1:368-372. 27. Bellamy RF. Personal communication 1988. ond) -- which is almost three times the full auto cyclic 6. Lindsey D. The idolatry of velocity, or lies, damn lies, and ballis­ 28. Dahlgren B, Berlin R, Janzon B, et al. Th e extent of muscle tissue tics. J Trauma 1980;20: 1068-1069. damage fo llowing missile trauma one, six and twelve hours after the inflic­ The "Advanced Combat Rifle" (ACR) program rate of the M16A2 or any other common service rifle - 7. Stevenson WF.Wounds in War. London, Longmans Green & tion of trauma, studied by the current method of debridement. Acta Chir was a ten year effort of sponsored research, develop­ - and so fast that all three bullets will exit the muzzle Company. 1897: 107. Scand; Suppl 489:137-144, 1979. ment, and testing of new rifle models to provide before the rifle moves appreciably in recoil. 8. Kocher T. Eindrucke aus Deutchen kriegslazaretten. 29. Rockert H, Berlin R, Dahlgren B, et al. Cell damage at different Correspondenz-blattfuerSchweitzer aerzte. 1915;45:449-479. distances fr om wound channels caused by sp herical missiles with high "significant improvements"1 in rifle technology; spe­ The Steyr rifle used a saboted, 9.85 grain fin-sta­ impact velocity 1-12 hours after injury. Acta Chir Scand; Suppl 489: 151- 9. Jolly DW. Field Surgeryin Total War. New York, Hoeber. cifically in hit probability while maintaining or bilized flechette in a plastic case which traveled at a 158, 1979. 1941:68. improving the wounding potential of the M16A2 fir­ very high velocity of about 4,900 f/s. 30. Wang ZG, Qian CW, Zhan DC, et a!. Pathological changes of 10. Bailey H. eds. Surgery of Modern Wa rfare. 2nd ed, Vol I. Balti­ gunshot wounds at various intervals aft er wounding. Acta Chir Scand; ing the standard M855 cartridge. The manufacturers of The AAI rifle fired the same flechettepro jectile more: Williams & Wilkins, 1942:16. Supp1 508:197-210, 1982. each of the four final candidate weapons (see Fig. 1) as theSteyr but from a brass case which (oddly) 11. Ferguson LK, Brown RB,Nicholson JT,et al. Observations on 31. Zhang D, Qian C, Liu Y, et al. Morphologic observations on the treatment of battle wounds aboard a hospital ship. US Nav Med Bull also developed new ammunition cartridges in an at­ weighed less than the Steyr plastic cased round. Muz­ high-velocity steel bullet wounds at various intervals after wounding. J 1943;41:299-305. Trauma; Suppl 28:S98-S104, 1988. tempt to increase their weapon's hit probability. They zle velocity of the AAI flechette is about 4,600 f/s. 12. Slesinger EG. The treatment of flesh wounds. In: Maingot R, 32. Ziervogel JF. A study of the muscle damage caused by the 7. 62 included duplex (two bullets in one cartridge) ammu­ There were problems with the caseless and par­ Slesinger EG, Fletcher E eds. War Wounds and Injuries, 2nd ed. Baltimore: NA TO rifle. Acta Chlr Scand; Suppl 489:131-135, 1979. Williams and Wilkins. 1943:22. nition; flechettes, and caseless cartridges. ticularly with the saboted flechette cartridgewhich -­ 33. Rybeck B. Missile wounding and hemodynamic effe cts of energy 13. Crile G Jr.. Experiences of the surgical service of the USNH, in spite of thelight weight of the flechette itself -­ absorption. Acta Chir Scand; Suppl 450:5-32, 1974. Auk/and, NZ with casualties from the initial Solomon Island engagement. weighed more thanthe standard M855 cartridge. The US Nav Med Bull 1943;41:306-324. 34. Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Wound THE ACR WEAPONS Ballistics. Gothenburg, Sweden, June 11-14, 1985. J Trauma 28, Suppl, flechette was also less accurate than theM855 bullet 14. Cope Z. ed. Surgery. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1988. 1953:29. The Colt ACR rifle used both the standard M855 and there was a problem with the fact that the sabot 35. Davis JH, Drucker WR, Foster RS, et al. Clinical Surgery. St. 15. Ogilvie WH. Cardinal sins of war surgery. Bull US Army Med cartridge and a new duplex (two bullets in one case) which -- after transporting the flechette down the bar­ Louis: Mosby, 1987:2117, 2337. Dept 1944;76:35-36. cartridge. The duplex round featured a 35 grain bullet rel -- separates from the flechetteand becomes a 36. Owen-Smith MS. Wounds caused by the weapons of war. in 16. King KF. Orthopaedic aspects of war wounds in South Vietnam. Westaby S eds. Wound Care, London, Heinemann Medical Books, above a nested 30 grain bullet. The idea is that the first hazard to nearby friendly troops in front of the J Bone & Joint Surg 1969;51B:ll2-117. 1985:110, 112, 114. bullet will hit at the point of aim and the second, rear shooter. One important point which will likely affect 17. Commander in Chief Pacific (CINCPAC). Wa r Surgery. In: Pro­ 37. Dufour D, Kroman Jensen S, Owen-Smith M, et a!. Surgery fo r ceedings of the Commander in Chief Pacific Fifth Conference on War Sur­ bullet will disperse slightly from the first thereby in­ any consideration of their use is that both the caseless victims of War. Geneva, International Committee of the Red Cross, 1988; 7, gery, 29 March - 2 April 197l, Tokyo, Japan. 1971:33. (Available from 11, 13, 14, 43. creasing the chance of at least one bullet hitting the and the flechette rounds require more production steps CINCPAC, Attn: Surgeon, FPO San Francisco, California 96610). 38. Sedwitz MM,Shackford SR. Vascular trauma, in Cuschieri A, target. and more precision in manufacturing and therefore 18. Rich NM, Johnson EV, Dimond, FC Jr. Wo unding power of Giles GR, Moossa AR, eds. In: Essential Surgical Practice. 2nd ed, Lon­ missiles used in the Republic of Vietnam. JAMA 1967;199:157- 161,168. The Heckler & Koch rifle used a unique caseless more expense per round than conventional ammuni­ don: Wright, 1988:305. 19. Dimond FC Jr, Rich NM.M -16 rifle wounds in Vietnam., "cartridge" with a 4.9mm, 51 gr bullet located within tion. J Trauma 1967;7:619-625. a solid propellant body. Two potential advantages of The decision to terminate the program resulted ammunition which does not require a relatively heavy from the failure of all the newly developed weapons in metal (usually brass) case are: a substantial reduction field tests. Soldiers received training on the new weap­ in carry load of the soldier and a reduction in logistic ons and then fired them at targets from 50 to 300 tonnage for the supply system. Also, a weapon firing meters distant. The results of the tests demonstrated

24 Fall/92 Fall/92 25 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

Candidate ACR•s that soldiers firing the new rifles andnew ammunition tissue. In many instances the long, thin, fin-stabilized were not able to hit more targets than were the soldiers flechettewill simply perforate a human torso; going in firing the current M 16A2 rifle. As the candidate weap­ one side and exiting out the other with minimal tissue ons failed to meet a primary program goal of disruption. A wound of this type is not likely to cause providing a significant improvement in hit probability, rapid or eventual incapacitation or even a wound of the program was terminated. any tactical significance. One of the top engineers While the program's criteria and methodology for evaluating flechettes in an early project study recog­ evaluating the rifles' ability to get rounds on targets nized this and reported that after being hit with a appear to have been innovate, practical, and worth­ flechette, " ...a person might hardly know he' s been while; the program's evaluation of the "lethality" shot."3 or wounding effects of the candidate weapon's ammu­ The ACR program did attempt to evaluate the 4PJECE "0" RING nition was based on flawed assumptions and have wounding capability of the flechette projectiles by fir­ MOLDED SABOT provided the DoD with data which are likely to lead to ing into tissue simulant. The lethality testing was serious errors in future weapons development. performed by U.S. Army's Ballistic Research Lab COLT The official DoD and ACR program position is (BRL) at Aberdeen, MD and although the flechette's that although the ACR program did not result in the propensity to "zip through" tissue without significant development and production of a better service rifle, wounding effect was recognized as a flaw, BRL be­ M855 BRASS CASE PROPELLANT the program was a "success" as, "significant advances lieved there was a mechanism by which the flechette's in the state-of-the-art in rifle technology have been performance could " ...exhibit lethality characteristics made"2 and in the establishment of a more valid data­ similar to bullets." BRL found a flechettepenetrating base on hit probability. Although the program does tissue at sufficiently high velocities (the exact "critical

DUPLEX (2) PROJECTILES appear to have collected valuable data on caseless am­ velocity" is classified but is believed to be about 3,000 munition and hit probability, it is disturbing to find f/s), will (usually) yaw, and deform into a "C" shape that the program evaluators came to the absurd conclu­ and stop -- thereby satisfying the most fervent longing sion that the flechette projectiles (used by two of all ballistic engineers: a complete transfer of kinetic candidate rifles) were equal in wounding effect to the energy from projectile to target. PLASTIC conventional M855 bullet used in the Ml6A2. Kinetic energy (KE) -- which is one half of the SOLID PROPELLANT END CAP BODY Attempts to use flechettes as riflepro jectiles is not product of mass times energy squared -- is perhaps the a new idea as there have been several Army programs most misunderstood, misused, and misleading concept since the 1950's -- most notably the Special Purpose in wound ballistics. There are many who believe that a Individual Weapon (SPIW) program -- which at­ bullet's effectiveness is directly related to its kinetic tempted to develop a flechette-firing service rifle. The energy and BRL has been a primary source for this

COMBUSTffiLE continuing allure of flechettes is based on the under­ erroneous theory. In addition, virtually all ammunition BOOSTER MIX PROJECTILE e PRIMER IN COPPER CUP standabl desire to field a service rifle which can use manufacturers provide brochures with lists of their very lightweight ammunition (thereby allowing a sol­ various loadings showing kinetic energy levels at dif­ dier to carry more rounds.) A flechette can, because of fering velocities. Civilian gun magazines invariably its highly aerodynamic shape, travel in a flat trajectory discuss the kinetic energy of new hunting and defense (which makes long range shooting easier) and due to cartridges. its very high length over diameter ratio, the flechette is Although widespread and popular, the mistaken also capable of considerable penetration into hard ma­ belief in the correlation between KE and wounding terial. effect has been around for many years and it is likely The flechette does possess these characteristics but to have resulted from an attempt by engineers to apply STEYR a factor often overlooked in the past and misunder­ numerical values to wound ballistics. As someone RING 4PIECE PLASTIC stood in the recent ACR program is the flechette's who has worked in the fi eld for many years, I under­ PRIMER CASE MOLDED SABOT wounding characteristics: what the flechette does to stand and sympathize with the desire for an ordered, 26 Fall/92 Fall/92 27 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

linear system for predicting the effect of projectiles on Using KE deposit theory to evaluate effectiveness, humans. Being able to accurately and simply measure Bullet 1 would be superior. But if Bullet 1 was (or predict) the effectiveness of a bullet by only hav­ stopped in fat and muscle without disrupting major ing to know its weight and velocity would make organs or vessels and Bullet 2 went into and through wound ballistics research and evaluation much easier. the animal's brain before exiting, which bullet was re­ An Inexpensive Downrange But the fact is that the interaction of projectiles and ally more effective? living creatures (humans included) is much too com­ Living human and animal systems are not homo­ plex a subject to allow a simple, linear systems of geneous objects: Chronograph System evaluation to be valid. Wounding, incapacitation, or lethality is not a Using the KE theory of wounding, a projectile is function of the quantity of energy applied or trans­ fired at a target (tissue or tissue simulant.) The veloc­ ferred but of the quality (or importance) of the ity of the projectile is measured just before it tissue being disrupted. Lucien C. Haag penetrates into the target and then upon exiting (if it With flechettes, the quantity of KE produced is Materials and specifications of the materials nec­ goes completely through the target.) The greater the similar to the quantities produced by handgun bullets - essary to construct this device are listed below. Some This article describes the construction and use of difference between the entrance and exit velocities, the - not rifles. This means that the amount of temporary of the key dimensions and specifications of the unit an inexpensive device for protecting small portable more KE "deposited" or transferred to the target and cavitation in tissue caused by a flechette when it does are shown in the line drawing and described below. chronographs from damage errant bullets, bullet therefore -- by KE theory -- the more "lethal" the pro­ deform and stop will not be sufficient to stretch most fragments, and/orej ected fr agments of intermedi­ jectile. A projectile which did not exit the target tissue beyond its break point and is therefore unlikely ate targets positioned close to such chronographs. 3/8" steel plate - 6.5x14 inches. (thereby transferring all its KEto the target) would be to produce significant tissue disruption. 3/8" plywood, 2 pieces - 14x18 inches and 4.5x14 inches. considered more "effective" than a projectile which 118" thick "angle iron" (right angle sections of mild steel) In cases involving certain exterior and terminal did exit the target. While this approach may have 1.5 inch sides, three (3) 4 ft. lengths. THE FUTURE OF THE FLECHETTE ballistic issues it is often desirable to measure velocity some validity when applied to armor and other materi­ 118" thick 1.5 inch wide flat plate steel strips; two (2) 12 loss over substantial distances so that the ballistic co­ als, it is not generally applicable to wound ballistics. The ACR program has ended and with the sub­ efficient of the particular bullet can be calculated. In inch pieces. The KE "energy transfer" theory of wounding was stantial cutbacks in future military expenditures it is 118" thick glass mirror, 2 pieces 4.5 x 14 inches ea. other cases the velocity loss experienced a particular further developed to evaluate bullets by the speed with not likely that a new program will begin soon. But 1" thick soft urethane fo am, 4.5 x 14 inches. type of bullet during passage through some interven­ which they decelerate: i.e., how quickly a bullet comes without a reevaluation of DoD/BRL' s basic assump­ One 14 x 18 inch section of pile carpeting. ing object is of forensic importance. In the past this to a stop. The idea is that a fast transferof energy is tions regarding the mechanisms of wounding, it is Right angle brackets (4). writer has used sets of matched chronographs for these somehow more "lethal" or disruptive than a slower likely that the future will find the flechette resurrected 3/4" square Velcro fasteners (8 pairs). purposes with one unit positioned uprange and one or transfer. When applied to actual use, this concept re­ yet again as a "Wonder Bullet." In terms of effective Miscellaneous small screws, nuts and wingnuts. more units downrange. Whether located a few feet be­ sults in higher lethality values being given to bullets wound ballistics, the ACR program tennination can be yond an intervening object or 50 to 100 yards with extremely shallow tissue penetrations than to bul­ considered fortunate; but it is disturbing to realize that Nearly all of the foregoing materials are obtain­ downrange for an unobstructed shot the down range able from hardware store or home building supply lets which penetrate to greater depths. the continued acceptance of the KE deposit wounding chronographs are in jeopardy of being struck with po­ stores. The steel plate was obtained from a metals fab­ The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Na­ myth may -- someday in the future -- result in our tentially catastrophic results. A device has therefore rication company. Velcro fasteners can be found in tional Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly troops being equipped with lighter, faster, and less ef­ been constructed which offers good protection for department stores or fabric stores. the National Bureau of Standards) have utilized this fective ammunition. small portable chronographs like the Chrony Quartz­ methodfor almost 20 years to evaluate handgun bul­ Lok or the ProTach. This device uses a 3/8 inch thick lets for law enforcement. Its published "Relative steel plate mounted at an angle on a framework to REFERENCES ASSEMBLY Incapacitation Index" (RII)4 of handgun ammunition is shield the downrange chronograph(s). An adjustable Two of the 4' lengths of the wide angle iron now widely ignored and generally recognized to be 1. Department of the Army, ARDEC, Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) arrangement of protected mirrors allows any velocity 1.5" Program, Volume 1, Technical Report DAAA2 1-90-D-0005, February. were cut to form a rectangular framework with inside worthless. 1992:1. readings displayed on the chronograph(s) to be ob­ dimension of 14" x 24". Two 14" long pieces of 1. 5'' As an example of the fallacy of utilizing KE to 2. Ibid, p 43. served through a spotting scope or an optical sight on angle iron were mounted back to back with their verti­ evaluate bullets consider: 3. Stevens, RB, Ezell, EC, The SPIW, the deadliest weapon that never the test firearm when the device is positioned at dis­ cal elements 1.5 inches in from the front of the unit. Two bullets have the same weight and velocity. was. Toronto, Collector Grade Publications, 1985:87 tances of 50 to 150 yards. The unit is capable of being This arrangement provides triangulated support for the Bullet 1 strikes an animal and stops. Bullet 2 strikes 4. National Institute of Justice, Police handgun ammunition: Inca­ mounted on a telescoping, adjustable stand borrowed pacitation effects, NU Report 100-83. 1983. 6.5" x 14" section of 3/8" thick steel plate which is an identical animal and perforates through its body. from a portable shop lighting system.

29 Fall/92 28 Fall/92 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

chronograph(s). The cardstock witness panel is also scribed. This unit will protect chronographs from im­ welded in at an approximate angle of 55 degrees to the left sufficiently loose so that adjustments may be useful when measuring the exit velocities of bullets pact damage from direct gunfire as well as fragments plane of the framework. A nominal 1411 x 1811 plywood made to allow remote viewing of the chronograph's from disintegrating bul­ that have passed through cer­ floor was attached to the framework with small screws display. The lower mirror system can either be re­ lets and ej ected debris tain types of intervening and nuts leaving a 411 moved when not in use objects. Small particles or from intermediate targets opening at the forward or simply rotated for­ located immediately in other debris ej ected from ma­ end of the unit. A 4.511 x ward up over and onto terials such as glass, sheetrock front of the unit contain­ 1411 piece of 1 thick ure­ the carpeted floor of the or particleboard will frequently ing the downrange thane foam was glued to unit for storage and confuse nearby downrange chronograph(s). This unit the backside of the steel transportation. A pro­ chronographs and give errone­ also provides a detach­ plate as a shock ab­ file view of this device ous velocity readings. A able viewing system sorber. Velcro fasteners is shown in the dia­ cardstock panel mounted at the which will allow one to were glued to the four gram. The three front of the deflection device record distant chrono­ exposed comers of the photographs show the will substantially reduce these graphic measurements piece of foam. Corre­ actual unit from several bogus readings by filtering out through the optical sights sponding Velcro angles with three (3) the ej ected debris from the of a rifle or through a fasteners were glued to Chrony brand portable bullet's passage through the spotting scope thereby the backside comers of a chronographs situated obviating the need to 11 1 intervening object. 4.5 x 14 1 section of 1/ side-by-side in the pro­ travel downrange after 811 mirror which can tected area. Photograph each shot to record any then be attached or removed as desired from the shock 3 also shows the addition of a simple cardstock wit­ SUMMARY velocity values. absorbing foam on the back of the deflection shield. ness panel mounted on two 5/1611 diameter wooden The construction and uses This arrangement also allows for easy replacement dowel rods inserted in two empty 357 magnum car­ of an inexpensive device for in the event the mirror becomes cracked or broken. tridge cases which have been epoxy-glued ACKNOWLEDGMENT the shielding of downrange Once the unit's approximate r-::-'7."====�:--::==---....,.,...,.,...... ,...... ,....,....,.-.....,.,.-....,., to the inside of the framework. Special thanks are extended to chronographs has been de- center of gravity is located IWBA member William H. Morris, Jr. of the Arizona Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory for the application of his forensic welding skills four ( 411 right angle brackets during the construction of this device. USES AND APPLICATIONS were used to attach a one ( 1) foot section of 111 square tub­ For long distance chrono­ ing. This telescopes into a graphic measurements, this 3/8 in. thicksteel plate I in:thick fo am stand borrowed from a por­ system can be positioned in �/8 in.thick mirr or table shop light system front of and approximately 1 - -- manufactured by Grandri ch). foot below a grouping of shots � v- .---I Two 1211 long flatsteel on some form of sighting tar­ straps were attached with get. Three chronographs are screws and wingnuts through used instead of one to increase 318in. thick ywoodpl floor holes drilled 6 inches back the overall zone of detection. from the front of the unit. A 3/ Subsequent shots which pass 1 811 thick, 4.51 x 14" piece of over the protected chrono­ ..______telescopingstand plywood was affixed at the graphs in the correct height 3/8 in.thick plywood t> bottom of these two metal zone can be seen and recorded straps with a single wood through the use of a spotting screw on each side. Another scope. The cardstock witness section of mirror of the same dimension as before was panel on the deflection device can also be of assistance secured to the front-facing side of this piece of ply­ in making small sighting corrections to bring subse­ wood. The upper wingnuts andthe lower screws are quent shots into the proper zone for detection by the

Fall/92 31 30 Fall/92 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW Police Atnmunition JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

• BULLETS PENETRATE BY CRUSHING bullet can also be an important factor. Hatcher as­ THE TISSUE THEY HIT. Crush by direct bullet cribed to various bullet shapes a "disruptive factor" Police Handgun Ammunition contact (also called the permanent cavity), is the only (Textbook of Pistols and Revolvers, p. 410). He disruption mechanism the handgun rated highest the full-wadcutter: user can rely upon. The other full-wadcutters cut a sharp round Selection mechanism, transient radial dis­ hole in the target (rather than the placement of tissue surrounding the fuzzy, folded-back hole made by Martin L. Fackler, M.D. bullet path (the temporary cavity), is the round-nosed bullet). Cutting too small when caused by the ex­ is a variation of the crush mecha­ panding handgun bullet to have a nism and is far more efficient in

A discussion of the basic facts which should be reliable effect in the adult human. " disrupting tissue than is stretch­ wounded. The investigation revealed the problem: the .. considered in the selection of police handgun am­ The stretch of the first part the bul­ ing by temporary cavitation FBI faced it squarely and corrected it. Most law en­ munition; and a review of the most common let hole to about the diameter of an (largely a waste of energy in the forcement agencies learned from the FBI' s experience misconceptions concerning bullet effectiveness. orange (see Fig. One) is easily ab­ handgun). Consider the and adopted bullets with adequate penetration: a no­ sorbed by the elasticity of the broadhead hunting arrow: it has table exception is the U. S. Secret Service -- it appears Nothing is sadder than the unnecessary loss of po­ tissues in most parts of the human been used to kill every species of lice lives from equipment failure. FBI Special Agent that interagency rivalry or excess pride won't allow torso. These flexible tissues act big game on this planet -- includ­ Dove did his part in the "Miami Shootout" of April them to learn from anyone else, they will need their much like a shock absorber. The ef­ ing the elephant -- and it 1986: his aim was perfect; his bullet was heading di­ own disaster. fect of the handgun produced possesses about the same amount rectly for the heart of a heavily armed and experienced The purpose of this article is to provide basic facts temporary cavity stretch is at best of kinetic energy as a .22 Short. about handgun killer. However, that bullet failed to reach the heart bullet effects on the human body for variable and erratic. The effect of It disrupts tissue by cutting. because of inadequate penetra- those who choose police bul­ permanent cavity crush is certain Consider the average ex­ tion (see Fig. One): it passed lets to use as a guide through and reliable. panded hollow-point handgun through the criminal's upper the minefield of misinforma­ bullet: the soft lead of the ex­ "The facts needed tion to which they are arm before continuing into his • IDEAL BULLET PEN­ panded forward edge is chest (not an uncommon situa­ subjected in the popular gun ETRATION DEPTH IN THE rounded-off and smooth. When Oom ,. •• "' to make the critical • tion: many at whom one press and bullet manufactur­ BODY IS BETWEEN 12 AND 20 striking a large blood vessel shoots have one or more arms ers' advertisements. bullet-choice INCHES. Penetration beyond 20 Figure One -- The black line on the three within a few inches of the end of in front of their torso -- hold­ The facts needed to make inches is preferable to penetration wound profiles indicates a penetration its tissue path it will push the ing their gun). Two FBI agents decisions are the critical bullet-choice deci­ under 12 inches but it wastes bullet depth of 6 inches (15 em). This is the mini- vessel aside. However, if the bul­ died as a result of this bullet sions are simple and easy to potential (something one cannot af-· mum depth at which the major blood ves­ let has leaves of the copper jacket simple and easy to sels are located (from the front of the failure. This was by no means understand: ford to do given the limited potency still attached to it and exposed torso) in a small slender adult. Heavy the first or the only instance in of the handgun) as well as creating (see Fig. Two) they can act like understand. " build, angled shots, or having to perforate • THE ONLY RELIABLE which police officers have lost an unnecessary hazard to bystand­ an arm first can easily double that dis- little knives, slicing blood vessels their lives due to failures of WAY TO STOP THE AG­ ers. tance. The wound profile of the bullet used rather than just pushing them bullets designed to place high on the infamous N a­ GRESSION OF A by FBI SA Dove in the FBI shootout, the aside. This cutting action by a FEARLESS ASSAILANT IS TO DISRUPT HIS 9mm 115 grain WW Silvertip, is similar to tiona! Institute of Justice (NIJ) "Relative • THOSE BULLETS WITH 147 gr. Winchester OSM sub­ the bottom profile shown. Incapacitation Index (RII)." The autopsy of the crimi­ VITAL BODY STRUCTURES. This fact has proven THE LARGEST EXPANDED sonic bullet was described by nal (who later died from several head shots) revealed itself both on the military and urban battlefields. It DIAMETER ARE THE MOST forensic pathologist Dr. Richard that the bullet which perforated his arm and entered should come as no surprise to any experienced hunter. EFFECTIVE (Provided that they reach the necessary Mason in an autopsy he did last year in Santa Cruz, his chest stopped only about an inch from his heart. penetration depth with sufficient potential to disrupt CA: the wall of the thoracic aorta was cut by this bul­ This incident proved the danger of inadequate bullet • THE HEART, MAJOR BLOOD VESSELS, what they hit.) let. This OSM bullet was the only one among the penetration: a fault common to bullets rated high on AND UPPER PART OF THE SPINE ARE THE many bullets I tested at the Wound Ballistics Labora­ the RII. VITAL STRUCTURES OF THE TORSO. These However, there is more to consider here than just tory at the Letterman Army Institute of Research in The "Miami Shootout" attracted a lot of attention can be over ten inches deep from some angles in some diameter: shape and configuration of the expanded which the recovered bullets consistently had these ex- since two FBI agents lost their lives and five were people. Fall/92 33 32 Fall/92 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

posed knife-edge jacket leaves. Alan Corzine, an ord­ have been hit). They do so for psychological reasons. nance engineer at Winchester, recognized the However, the most dangerous opponents, those under importance of this cutting mechanism and designed a the influence of drugs, psychotics, and the determined, bullet based upon it. This bullet (Fig Three), the well-trained and fe arless; are far less likely to stop. A "Black Talon," after expansion has six sharp pointed The psychologic stop is extremely variable and er­ Pig copper hooks around the circumference of the mush­ ratic -- you cannot count on it. roomed lead. In my view this "Black Talon" bullet is This concept is not new: Hatcher described it well the most significant advance in handgun bullet tech­ in 1935 in his Handbook of Pistols and Revolvers, 8 nology since the invention of the expanding bullet. pp. 428-430. New examples of the danger posed by Gelatin Recently, three Black Talon bullets (two 9mrns and these tough-to-stop individuals have been brought up one 45) were shot through the lower abdomen of a in every seminar I have given to law enforcement freshly killed, 100 lb pig. All three bullets were recov­ groups. However, the "magic bullet boys," the self­ ered and showed expansion identical to shots done proclaimed experts at work pushing their pet theories c previously into gelatin (see Fig Three for a typical ex­ and favorite bullets, don't talk much about it. They Water ample). Autopsy showed four distinct cuts in loops of would rather ascribe the psychological stops to some small bowel that were made by miraculous property of the bul­ FigureTwo -- The bullets in group A were recovered from shots into the abdomens of anesthetized the cutting hooks on the ex- let they are currently hawking. pigs. Group B were recovered fr om 10% ordnance gelatin. Group C were recovered from shots panded bullets: these were into water. Note the knife-like leaves of folded-back copper jacket. The wound profile of this bul­ pieces of bowel that would "Immediate • LUCK IS A FACTOR let is similar to the top one shown in Figure One except that it penetrates an inch or two more have been simply pushed aside THAT CANNOT BE IG­ deeply than the one shown on that profile . by bullets without the cutting incapacitation is NORED: SOMETIMES AN mechanism of the "Black APPARENTLY WELL­ Talon." a common and PLACED BULLET WILL POTPOURRI OF FALLACIES THE "DEFINITIVE FALLACY" OF JUST MISS EVERY IM­ dangerous "HANDGUN STOPPING POWER" • BULLETS HITS IN PORTANT STRUCTURE THE RII -- This whole fiasco could have been THE TORSO CANNOT BE misconception. " YOU THINK IT SHOULD prevented: if only someone (highly placed enough to I have had several calls from law enforcement of­ COUNTED UPON TO HIT. Just below the heart, for make a difference) had taken the timeto apply a little ficers who are concerned that some of their less CAUSE A PERSON TO IM- example, it is possible for a common sense and think through the seriously flawed perceptive colleagues might endanger their lives by MEDIATELY CEASE HIS bullet to pass between the RII theories. These hold that the temporary cavity size believing material presented in a recent book that ACTIONS. Even a total cessation of blood flow to aorta and the vena cava without hitting either of these determines the incapacitation produced in the human claims to be "the definitive study" of handgun stop­ the brain can allow 10 seconds of purposeful action -­ large blood vessels. Several well-placed hits is the by a handgun bullet. The NIJ adopted this theory from ping power. This book's authors claim to have more than enough time to empty a whole magazine. only way to get around the luck problem. the Ballistics Research Laboratory of Aberdeen Prov­ collected information on thousands of shootings: and ing Grounds which used it as a basic precept in that this "data base" shows just about everything I The false expectation that a bullet striking a vital When you are in a gunfight and know that you determining "lethality" of all penetrating projectiles have written in this articleto be wrong -- that the RII part of the body will cause immediate incapacitation is have just put two or three bullets into the center of the (unfortunately, it is apparently still being used). Most was right -- that there is "magic" in temporary cavita­ a common and dangerous misconception. Officers in­ chest of the bad guy what should you expect? Any ex­ parts of the human body are quiteelastic: they can tion -- that there are "magic bullets" that cause volved in shootings usually express surprise at the pectation other than that he will keep shooting back at stretch and expand to absorb most handgun produced immediate incapacitation up to 97% of the time from lack of any visible reaction to bullet hits on their ad­ you can get you killed. Hope for the best, but plan for temporary cavities while suffering little or no damage. a shot anywhere in the torso. Even if the data had versary. Again, this will come as no surprise to the the worst. To accurately determine penetrating projectile effects been collected as claimed, it would be meaningless for experienced hunter: even when a center-fire rifle bullet These are the major points for the police adminis­ on the human body one must understand the human the following reasons: has just disintegrated his heart, a deer will commonly trator to use as a guide to selecting appropriate bullets body: a trauma surgeon or forensic pathologist (who No well-trained officer is going to shoot once and run off showing no sign of being hit -- only to be and for the policeman on the street to use as a guide to has experience with and interest in gunshot wounds) then stand there and wait to see if his adversary is go­ found dead within 30 to 50 yards. his survival. Good bullet placement is critical, but must be closely involved in any such effort to avoid ing to stop shooting back at him. Instead, the Many will collapse immediately when hit by a must be coupled with bullets that can be relied upon to such blunders as the RII. intelligent officer will put several shots in the center bullet (as will some who were missed but think they reach and disrupt vital structures.

Fall/92 35 34 FaW92 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

"KNOCK DOWN POWER" CONCLUSION of the torso of his adversary. As soon as the second The "catch-as-catch-can" method of data collec­ The police administrator has a serious responsi­ shot hits, the incident is not counted in this purported tion allows for selective omissions, by which an A hit from a bullet does not knock the human bility in choosing the bullets upon which his officers' "one-shot stop data base." To be rational, any multiple unscrupulous author can "prove" anything he wishes. body down, or even drive it significantly backwards. lives depend. If only his own life was at stake he hit incident should be counted as a failure in the "one­ Couple this with two authors whose bias can be dem­ However, we have all seen so many misleading depic­ would be free to base this choice on anything he shot stop" calculations rather than being ignored. This onstrated at trade shows where they can be found tions of shootings in the entertainment media that wished -- advertisements, voodoo, or scientific fact. purported "data base" thus disregards most of the representing commercial bullet companies. undoubtedly some of it has rubbed off to influence But when this choice affects the lives of others he is shooting incidents from which we can learn something The lack of scatter in the "one-shot-stop data what we envision. When the officer's life is on the obligated to use only verified and valid data. If he (like the FBI shootout). base" casts the most serious doubt on its veracity. The line, the more realistic his expectations the better will should need additional expert advice it is close at It ignores the most basic of scientific investigative extreme regularity of their numbers contradicts the be his survival chances: you don't need unnecessary hand: he need only call on procedures -- the search for the reason a shot or shots whole body of Forensic Science in which the large surprises when bullets are fly- the firearms examiner in his didn't have the expected effect (analysis of failures is variation in reactions following gunshot wounds has ing your way. The physics of the bullet's "push" (or lack of criminalistics lab. It is the push) can be demonstrated eas­ "One-shot-stops firearms examiner' s job to know bullets. Many firearm Expanded Bullet Expanded Bullet ily. Take a sack and fill it with 160 pounds of sand; tie the examiners have a background (top) (base) as a basis for neck with a rope and suspend it in the exact sciences and this Unfired Bullet so it can swing freely. Now estimating bullet makes him the police shoot the sack with a bullet and effectiveness administrator's best advisor note the swing imparted (or on difficult bullet choice de­ more accurately, the lack of is absurd. " cisions. The administrator swing imparted). There is other should also have the firearms unequivocal evidence: the au­ l __ ------examiner test any bullets that thor of the video documentary, are furnished as a duty round. Many crime labs are already set up to test bullets in .45 cal, 230 grain .. Black Ta lon .. "Deadly Effects: Wound Ballistics"1 allowed himself to be shot with a full-power 147 grain, 7.62 NATO 10% ordnance gelatin, but even if they are not they all FigureThree ·· Note the six cutting hooks spaced regularly around the expanded bullet's cir­ (.308 Winchester) rifle bullet, while wearing tactical have a water tank and shooting into water is a good cumference. This bullet essentially perfects the cutting mechanism first seen with the WW body armor. He is not knocked backwards perceptibly; screening test to insure that the bullets you bought 147 grain subsonic OSM round (Fig. Two) by making it more consistant and predictable. he repeats it while balancing on one foot with similar expand as they should (see Fig. Two). A return to the results. This is shown on the videotape. old fashioned "show me" attitude -- some call it skep­ I understand that one self-proclaimed expert advo­ ticism -- some call it common sense -- others know it as scientific method -- is the key to making the cor­ basic to everything from airplane accidents to washing been repeatedly described by reliable scientists. The cates shots into the pelvic bones of the lower torso as rect bullet choice decisions needed to protect police machine stoppages). Unless we search for and analyze final proof that puts this "data base" in the realm of a means of causing an adversary to fall over. First, a lives. reasons we don't learn from experiences. voodoo rather than science is the authors' hiding be­ hit in the majority of this large bony complex will Many, who might befully capable of continuing hind the claim of "secrecy" when asked to identify merely punch a hole in the bone and do nothing to its structural support: so this idea is based on fallacy. A their aggression, stop for a variety of reasons after be­ their sources so they could be verified. The nonsense REFERENCES ing hit: the assumption that these people were unable in this book appeals to what many want to believe, hit that fractures the mid-shaft of the thigh bone is far 1. Jason, A., "Deadly Effects: Wound Ballistics," 1987; video docu­ more likely to put a person on the ground. However, to continue is a crucial error. (and what many bullet makers want them to believe): mentary, ANITE Productions, Pinole, CA this does not guarantee that he is incapacitated, he As mentioned above, immediate cessation of ag­ that some bullets have such miraculous powers that a gressive acts should not be expected from any shot in single hit anywhere in the torso will cause immediate might even shoot more accurately from the prone posi­ tion. the torso: the officer who does expect it puts his life in cessation of the threat. Believing this could get a lot of jeopardy. Only the person who stops for psychological law enforcement officers killed. Few sensible people reasons is likely to stop immediately -- and this is ex­ would buy a car relying only on what the salesman Special thanks to the publishers of lAw & Order magazine for allow­ tremely variable, erratic, and unpredictable: to use told them. Should they be less sensible when buying ing the reprinting of this article. "one-shot-stops" as a basis for estimating bullet effec­ bullets upon which their lives might depend? tiveness is absurd.

Fall/92 37 36 Fall/92 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

number recorded was the average for 10 shots with the The 2 test shots from the Federal cartridges were particular load used with this number being preceded recovered from carton #7, while both the Winchester by the symbol . test shots exited from the far left edge of carton #6 and were stopped by the furniture moving blanket sur­ THE EFFECT OF BULLET NOSE rounding the carton row. Considering the severe dents EXPANSION MEASUREMENT these bullets made as they grazed the near left edge of SHAPE ON EXPANSION The expanded diameter (ED) of each recovered carton #7, they would have probably managed to enter test bullet exhibiting expansion was determined by the 7th carton if they were more centered. Gus Cotey, Jr. taking the average of 3 roughly equally spaced diam­ Next, test shots were fired with samples of both eter readings taken with a digital caliper and expressed the Winchester and Federal cartridges that had their in inches to the nearest 3rd decimal place. Recovered bullet noses filed flat with a Nicholson flat smooth 4- length (RL) was also measured with a digital caliper. inch file and with a Hanned Precision (P.O. Box An experiment demonstrates that bullet expansion containing the fired bullet was recorded. After each 2888-R, Sacramento, CA 95812) SGB (Small Game or deformation is affected by the shape of the pro­ shot, all damaged cartons were replaced. Note that in Bullet) trim die used as a guide. The SGB tool is a jectile point. 22 LONG RIFLE the United States, the thickness of the polyethylene­ hollow steel cylinder TESTS treated bleached sulphite cardboard used to with an inside diameter At impact velocities of approximately 1200 f/s ( the manufacture 2-quart cartons is standardized which in­ All test shots in this FEDERAL just large enough to per­ round nosed soft lead alloy bullet of the 22 Long Rifle sures consistent results regardless of carton make or test series, except for I "LIGHTNING" mit a 22 Long Rifle cartridge does not normally expand in soft tissue or in one, were fired from a 22 LA, 40 gr, round to freely drop in original product contained therein. I..N\I[rJH) L3�3 .I"PS lzt.H �li lead round nose calibrated soft tissue simulant. The Thompsoii!Center Previous experiments performed by this writer Browning T-Bolt (T-2) ltD � ED 1iQJlU_ until the forward ledge of ROUND uL • tt� RL • uo· 54 caliber cast, lead Maxi-Ball muzzle loading rifle have demonstrated that bullets impacting water-filled straight-pull bolt action the case rim stops its for­ projectile normally exhibits no more than only slight 2-quart cartons deform and/or fr agment in a similar rifle with a 24-inch bar­ ward motion and expansion at these velocities. By cutting back the manner as impacts with Type 250 A ordnance gelatin rel. The one exception Modified hardened to withstand rounded tip of the 22 Long Rifle bullet to form a no­ at 4°C (39.2°F) which has been calibrated to live was fired from a by filing file abrasion as the pro­ ticeable meplat (frontal flat surface) and increasing the Beretta Model 70S tip of truding bullet tip is filed swine muscle tissue. 1320 JIPS 1J2:66 . 11:�

MODI FIE , ED. .J l-2 ' bullet meplat diameter of the Maxi-Ball by either cutting One of the disadvantages of using water-filled 2- semiautomatic pistol fiD 3of.!i . flush. The SGB trim die ROUND RL .300 RL .3'117 nose back the nose or by simply loading it base forward, it quart cartons as test media is that their narrow profile with a 3.5-inch barrel . used in these tests mea- is possible to cause these minimally expansion-prone sometimes allows a bullet to escape from the carton The 22 Long Rifle sured .8995 inches in bullets to expand significantly in a calibrated soft tis­ row before it comes to rest. During the middle of the High Velocity ammu- length and the meplats sue testing medium. test shooting for this article, it was discovered that nition tested was Winchester "Super-X" and Federal filed onto the bullets of the test cartridges were ap­ covering the carton row with a 2-ply furniture moving "Lightning." Both ammunition types featured a soft proximately .145 inches in diameter. Bullet weight lead alloy round nosed bullet with a nominal weight of loss from the filing process was approximately 1 PROCED URE blanket can be quite useful in catching test bullets that would otherwise be lost as they exit from a carton's 40 grains. The bullets of the Winchester ammunition grain. sidewall or back edge. were plated with a copper alloy, while those of the For each make of ammunition 3 test shots were Federal cartridges were not plated. fired from the 24-inch barreled rifle. The recorded ve­ TEST MEDIUM There were 2 test shots fired for each brand of am­ locities for the Winchester cartridges from highest to VELOCITY MEASUREMENT The terminal ballistic test medium used in these munition with the bullet noses left in their original lowest were 1257, 1233, and 1192 f/s. Expanded di­ experiments was water-filled 2-quart milk and juice An Oehler Model 33 chronograph was used to state. Velocities ran from 1235 f/ s to 1323 f/ s. In no ameters (ED) were .329, .322, and .276 inches cartons with their spout openings manually pinched measure the velocities of the test shots with all read­ instance did any of these bullets expand. The only de­ respectively, while their recovered lengths were (RL) .306, .318, and .366 respectively. Recorded ve­ shut, but not sealed. The cartons were arranged in a ings expressed in feet per second (f/s). Sky screen formation evident was a slight blunting of the bullets' were locities for the Federal loads were 1320, 1265, and single-file row of up to 18 with all cartons in the row spacing was 4 feet and the distance from the second noses and an inward bending on one side of the rela­ fragile circumferential perimeter of their 1260 f/s. Respective ED's were .345, .312, and .299 firmly touching each other. Each carton in the row was skyscreen to carton #1 was approximately 12 inches. tively concave bases. The distortion to the bullets' bases was inches and respective RL's were .300, .317, and .326 numbered with a wax marker, with the carton closest The range from the test weapon muzzle to carton #1 most likely caused by impact with carton walls as inches. With the exception of the Winchester 1192 f/ s, to the shooter being #1. For each test shot the carton was approximately 10 fe et. In cases where the chrono­ these projectiles yawed to 180 degrees. .276 inch ED test shot, which was recovered from car- row was shot lengthwise and the number of the carton graph failed to record the velocity for a given shot, the

39 38 Fall/92 Fall/92 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW Bullet Nose Shape JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

ton #5, all test shots with the Hanned SGB tool-modi­ the unmodified Maxi-Ball fired with a charge mea­ fied rounds fired from the 24-inch barreled rifle were sured at 110 grains on the powder measure. Average recovered fromcarton #4. velocity for this load from the test weapon is 1350 f/s. One Hanned SGB tool-modified Winchester Su­ Initially, the only available board available to rest the .54 CALIBER MAXI.. BALL .54 CALIBER MAXI.. BALL per-X round was fired from a 3.5-inch barreled Beretta carton row upon was only long enough to hold 13 car­ WITH .30 INCH MEPLAT FIRED BACKWARDS Model 70S. Recorded velocity was 897 f/s and the tons. The first shot at 1361 f/s completely penetrated a bullet, which did not expand, was recovered from car­ row of 12 cartons and was lost, while the second shot Unfired; ton #8. The probable reason that penetration for this at 1331 t'/s did likewise to a row of 13 cartons. The Unfired; 406 gr/L=.895 shot was greater than for the non-expanding deep penetration of these 2 shots, coupled with the 394 gr/L=.80 unmodified bullets traveling at an average of more similar to pre-fired projectile diameter bullet holes in 61 1 f/s than 370 f/s faster was the fact that flat nosed bullets the carton walls indicated limited expansion at best. 1134 f/s ED .607 generally exhibit less of a tendency to yaw than round After obtaining a suitably long board, a row of 18 car­ ED .631 RL .828 nosed bullets. Naturally, to properly assess the pen­ tons was shot and the projectile was recovered from RL .473 etration carton #15. ED was 71 8 f/s characteristics of any only .620, limited pri­ 1231 f/s Winchester ED .81 1 ED .644 load would require "Super X" 22 LR, 40 marily to the front RL .806 more than just 1 test gr, lead round nose, band, and RL was RL .473 shot. copper plated .714. The chrono­ 868 f/s graph failed to record 1260 f/s Modified by filing tip the velocity for this ED .717 ED .712 54 CALmER of bullet nose shot so it is listed as RL .582 RL .753 MAXI-BALL 1350 . Note that these TESTS 92 1 f/s tests with the 1299 f/s ED .739 The test weapon unmodified Maxi­ ED .902 RL .741 used in this series Ball were conducted RL .426 was a Thompson/ prior to discovering 1332 f/s 1042 f/s Center 54 caliber the benefits of cover­ ED .888 ED .776 Hawken percussion ing the carton row RL .424 RL .686 lock muzzle loading with the blanket rifle with a 28-inch These experimen­ 1388 f/s 1074 f/s barrel rifledfor conical projectiles. The propellant tal results indicating limited expansion are consistent ED .924 ED .796 used was Goex FFg black powder. Propellant charges with actual field results obtained from killing a 95- RL .407 were measured volumetrically using a Thompson/Cen­ pound (field dressed weight) male whitetail deer at a RL .683 ter adjustable black powder measure withcharge distance of about 100 feet with the test weapon loaded weights varying from approximately 110 grains down with a Maxi-Ball and 110 grains of FFg. The shot 1228 f/s to approximately 20 grains. Powder charges were ig­ struckthe right side of the animal roughly midway be­ ED .830 nited by CCI #11 percussion caps. Maxi-Ball tween the first and last rib, just below the spine, and L = LENGTH IN INCHES. RL .61 6 projectiles were cast from pure lead with a Thompson/ exited 1 rib spacing forward. A rib was broken by the Center 54 caliber single-cavity Maxi-Ball mold and bullet during entrance and exit. Total penetration was ED = EXPANDED DIAMETER (INCHES) 1381 f/s had an average as-cast weight of 406 grains. Average approximately 8 inches with the round well-defined ED .863 front band diameter measured .545 inches and average entrance hole being only slightly smaller than the RL = RECOVERED LENGTH (INCHES) RL .569 base diameter measured .538 inches. Prior to firing, all round well-defined (except for 2 attached skin projec­ Maxi-Balls had their lubrication grooves filled with tions spaced 180° apart) exit hole. The entrance hole Crisco (partially hydrogenated vegetable shortening). in the tanned hide of this animal has a diameter of .68 The firstpart of these tests was conducted with inches and that of the exit hole measures .72 inches.

Fall/92 41 40 Fall/92 ---

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

By increasing the meplat diameter of the 54 cali­ expansion at impact velocities well below 1000 f/s ber Maxi-Ball from the original of about .150 inches with the ED's for 92 1 f/s and 868 f/s running .739 to .30 inches by cutting its nose back by .095 inches inches and .768 inches respectively. Even at 718 f/s on a lathe, it was found that expansion characteristics and 611 f/s there was slight expansion, with corre­ significantly improved. A test shot at 1388 f/s yielded sponding ED's measuring .644 inches and .607 inches. an ED of .924 inches and RL of .406 inches. At 1332 Book Review and 1299 f/s, the ED's ran .888 and .902 inches and RL's were .424 and .426. The average expansion for CONCL USION these 3 shots was .905 inches or 1.66 times the origi­ Bullet nose shape can be a most significant vari­ nal bullet's major diameter. This increase in expansion able in determining the degree of expansion that a PRIMARY CLOSURE FOR WAR WOUNDS IS led to a decrease in penetration, with the test shots at bullet will undergo at a given impact velocity upon Textbook of Military Medicine, RECOMMENDED 1388 and 1299 f/s only making their way to the inte­ striking soft tissue or a valid test medium thereof. The Conventional Wa rfa re, Ballistic, • Pages 205-209 is an extensive description, by rior of carton #7 (penetration for the 1332 f/s shot was results gathered from these simple experiments seem E.H Pool, of the surgical method he used in World not recorded). to indicate that for a bullet of a given caliber and com­ Blast and Burn Injuries. War I. The authors write, "From the broadest concepts Curiously, the test shot at 1260 f/s had an ED of position, the less aerodynamic the nose profile, the to seemingly minor details, his [Pool's] treatise on only .717 inches while the 1231 f/s shot's ED was lower the expected expansion threshold velocity will soft-tissue management, excerpts of whichfollow, re­ . 818 inches. The fact that thefaster bullet expanded be. This really isn't surprising when one considers that PART 1, VOLUME 5 ZAJTCHUK, R. (ED) . mains as valid today as when it was published in less may be due to possible damage to its meplat by the less streamlined a body's impact profile is when WASHINGTON, GPO, 1990. 1927. " In Pool's description we find: the ramrod during the seating process. Unfortunately, impacting with a given medium at a given speed, the neither time constraints nor carton supply permitted greater the stresses acting against this body will be. The first of the four part Textbook of Military • testing this hypothesis with additional test shots. Page 205 " ... closure of the wound may be car­ Anyone who has ever made a belly-flop dive into a Medicine (TMM) series is entitled "Warfare, Weap­ Whatever the cause, the frontof the recovered 1260 f/s ried out by immediate or primary suture... " swimming pool should understand this principle rather onry and the Casualty." This part consists of six test bullet expanded eccentrically relative to the base. well. volumes. The first five chapters (220 pages) of the • Page 209 under his heading "Primary suture, " At 1134 f/s, expansion for the .30-inch meplat Knowledge of the fact that normally minimally or fifth volume deal with weaponry and ballistics. These we find, "Ifideal conditions, that is, early and thor­ modified Maxi-Ball was only .631 inches. This shot non-expanding soft homogeneous low velocity bullets chapters are reviewed below. ough debridement, have been approximated and the completely penetrated a row of 12 cartons and was re­ can be made to expand by simple nose profile modifi­ covered by the moving blanket. Note that in this case [casualties] can be watched fo r some days, primary cation should be of great practical usefulness to Unfortunately, the weaponry and ballistics and that of the aforementioned minimally-expanding suture may be made. " designers of small arms ammunition, especially in re­ chapters are filled with inconsistencies, contradictions, 1260 test shot, the area that was formally the meplat gard to the design of handgun ammunition. It could and factual errors. The writers of these chapters have a There is no greater lesson fromprevious wars became concave after impact. also prove useful to forensic pathologists and police talent for obscuring the obvious with complexity and than to leave wounds open. In the beginnings of every Experimentation with the 54 caliber Maxi-Ball to firearms examiners in cases where modified ammuni­ bulk. Only the most dedicated (or masochistic) reader warwe have had surgeons who think they can close investigate the effects of further increasing the meplat tion has been used in a crime. will wade through the bloated, indecisive and ambigu­ warwounds primarily -- always they have been wrong diameter was accomplished by the simple expedient of ous pseudoscientific prose. Apparently anything in and the casualties have suffered as a result. loading the unmodified projectile backwards prior to print is assumed to be true: unsupported theory is re­ firing. At 1381 f/s ED was .863 inches, RL was .569 peatedly presented as fact. Only the person already inches, and the recovery carton was #9.The smaller REFERENCE expert in wound ballistics will be able to sort out the RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING ED of the reversed Maxi-Ball at 1381 f/s relative to reliable from the fallacious. In addition to uninformed SURGICAL WOUND TREATMENT ARE the test shot with the .30-inch meplat modified projec­ Cotey G A poor man's ballistics lab. Rifle March-April 1990, No. 128 speculation and misplaced emphasis, there are over 75 CONTRADICTORY AND CONFUSING tile at 1388 f/s was due to the fact that the reversed ; pp. 18-21 & 43 (Wolfe Publishing Co., Prescott, AZ) major factual errors in the 200 pages. • Figures 5-30 to 5-32 shows surgical excision of bullet underwent a pronounced rearward flowing of The material included in these chapters lacks any a typical through and through wound, with punctate the mushroom head, leading to a final pronounced sign of thoughtful evaluation and selection by some­ entrance and exit and minimal tissue disruption. The dome-shaped profile. This condition, which I refer to one expert in wound ballistics: it is more akin to a algorithm in figure 5-27, coupled with figures 5- as ')ellyfishing", is usually a sure sign that a bullet has computer literature search. 17,19,20, and 21, recommends "nonoperative been driven above the optimum velocity for its design. treatment" for this type of wound. The reversed Maxi-Ball exhibited considerable FaW92 43 42 Fall/92 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW

JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION

• Page 188 -- " ... this textbook uses debridement • On page 93 -- The authors introduce the "four • Page 109 -- The Table 4-1 lists the projectile Cs" as they write, "These criteria, which date back to fired by the AK-47 assault rifle as having "poor sta­ • Page 152 -- " ...pro jectiles must travel at veloci­ to describe the surgical management of penetrating at least Wo rld Wa r/, have become known as the fo ur bility. " Dozens of studies agree that this bullet is ties greater than 200 fp s to penetrate bone. " This soft-tissue combat wounds. " Thus, everything from Cs: extremely stable compared to other military rifle bul­ book's repetition of this fallacy illustrates the prob­ incision and drainage to amputation is described with color - the tissue is darkish lets -- it has, in fact, more stability in tissue than any lems that plague the field of wound ballistics. The this one word, debridement. This is the antithesis of consistency - the tissue is mushy military rifle bullet since thefirst generation of jack­ fallacy originated in the work of Harvey (Beyer, precision and clarity of meaning: and guaranteed to contractility - the tissue fa ils to contract eted bullets (30-40 Krag, 6.5 Mannlicher-Carcano, Wo und Ballistics, GPO, 1962, page 230): confuse, rather than enlighten. Because of circulation - the tissue fa ils to bleed. " etc.) that were in use at the turn of the century. debridement's unfortunate past -- having its perfectly " ... the end of a beeffe mur was cut and spherical clear French meaning muddled and confused into a

missiles shot into the sp ongy bone . . . " [Presumably the hodgepodge of spurious meanings in English -- it How is the young, inexperienced, surgeon to ap­ • Page 111 -- The authors add an unnecessary and ply the material presented? In treating a wound, is he confusing level of abstraction in defining velocity first 1/8 inch steel sphere that stuck in the bone mar­ should be dropped from the vocabulary of every think­ to cut out all muscle that meets ranges: row, rather than bouncing off, was traveling 200 f/s.] ing surgeon in favor of more precise and meaningful only one of the "four Cs"? or terms such as "incision" and must it meet two? Or three? Or This textbook arbitrarily Once in print, this 200 f/ "excision." "This book is s has been repeated, unquali­ Since the writings on perhaps all four? The authors defines low velocity as slower "(This book) of these chapters do not say. filled with than the speed of sound in air fied, ad infinitum and applied wound ballistics form a veri­ (that is, 334 m/s or 1,100 fps) to all parts of all bones struck constitutes a table mine-field of by any projectile. misinformation, those who inconsistencies, and ultrahigh velocity as the BASIC threat to the care speed of sound in soft tissue lack sufficient expertise in­ MISCONCEPTIONS contradictions, • Page 152 -- " ...penetra­ variable repeat the errors of (that is, 1,500 m/s or 4,900 of the wounded tion of skin dissipates another others. Unfortunately, the • Page 117 -- We find, fps) ....Since the first observa­ and outright 150 fp s... " Actually, French many expensive (printed at "Bullets have poor stability in tions of "explosive " wounds in any future and Callender wrote "Even ex­ taxpayer expense) and impres­ tissue. " Actually, some bul­ fa ctual errors. " occurred when "high velocity " tremely large missiles will lose conflict. " sive looking color plates and lets, such as the wadcutter (a --- -··------bullets were fielded in the the fact that the book was pub­ truncated cylinder shape), are mid-nineteenth century ...this about 125 fp.s., of their im- pact velocity in penetrating the lished - under the auspices totally stable in tissue, as are some round nosed bul­ textbook defines high velocity as that at which explo­ of the Surgeon General of the Army -by the Govern­ lets. Many round nosed bullets, and even a few sive effects begin to be commonly seen (that is, surface of the skin. " They cite no source for this data, but we find in the work of Harvey (source for much of ment Printing Office gives it an undeserved aura of pointed ones (such as the AK-47) are stable through 600-700 m/s, or 2,000--2,300 fp s). Velocities between what French and Callender reported without citation, credibility. These book chapters are an embarrassment most soft tissue paths in the human body. 1,100 fps and 2,000 fps are known as intermediate or on page 229 of Beyer, Wo und Ballistics, GPO, 1962) a to the Army Medical Corps and reflect most adversely medium." study in which " ... several layers of skin. .. " were per­ on the Center for Excellence at the Walter Reed Army • Page 111 -- 250 f/s is claimed to be the mini­ To correct the history, the velocities of the heavy forated by a 3/16 inch steel sphere traveling at 3,030 f/ Medical Center where the book originated. mum velocity for a round or pointed projectile to (40 to 45 caliber, weighing 300 to 500 grains) s, and a velocity loss of 225 f/s was reported. No in­ Instead of providing young medical officers with a penetrate human skin. -- DiMaio et al (J Forens Sci cylindro-conoid bullets of the mid-nineteenth century formation was given on how many layers were meant basic understanding of ballistic injuries, this book will Oct 1982) reported, in amputated human extremities, a were in the 1100 -- 1400 ft/s range -- far below the by "several, " what animal species donated the skin, or end up thoroughly confusing and misleading them: it 38 Special 158 grain lead round nosed bullet pen­ book's "high" level. Some of these large, soft lead, from what anatomic part of that animal it came. constitutes a threat to the care of the wounded in any etrated at 166 f/s, another at 191 f/s penetrated 40 mm bullets, however, despite their "low" to "medium" ve­ Again, once in print, such flawed data is destined future conflict. of muscle after perforating the skin. It takes little in­ locities, did deform on impact and caused temporary to be repeated and universalized to apply to every con­ sight to recognize that round nosed and pointed cavities ("explosive" effects) as large the fastest mod­ ceivable situation of any skin penetration by any Martin L. Fackler, MD projectiles cannot share the same threshold velocity ern military riflebullets. conceivable projectile. Reliance on such dubious Editor-in-Chief for skin penetration. Also, the thickness of the skin data has the potential for doing real harm, for in­ varies greatly at different anatomic locations -- skin of Why deprive wound ballistics of the scientific stance, if inadvertently applied to the field of theback is considerably thicker than skin of the ante­ precision it might obtain simply by using numbers fo rensic wound ballistics. rior torso: no single threshold velocity can be and numerical ranges in lieu of ambiguous adjec­ universally valid for all projectile shapes hitting all tives ("high," Intermediate," ultrahigh" etc. -- with areas of the body. every author giving his own definitions) to describe projectile velocity? Fall/92 45 44 Fall/92 WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW WOUND BALLISTICS REVIEW

ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS ASSOCIATION JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOUND BALLISTICS

KARL SELLIER, MD ROGER SHERMAN, MD Membership Roster O'BRIEN C. SMITH, MD GARY KLECK BOYD G. STEPHENS, MD GEORGE N. KNOX GERALD R. STYERS ROBERT KONG EDGAR A. SUTER, MD DAVID B. KOPEL VAN TELFORD ROBERT S. KRAUSS JOHN I. THORNTON, D. Grim ALAN T. KULOVITZ FULL MEMBERS SEPPO TIKKA, MD DONALD J. LOUGHLIN JOHN M. UHORCHAK, MD GEORGE A. LUCZY DAVID B. ADAMS, MD ALEXANDER JASON M.J. VAN MAANEN ROBERT B. LUTZ ROBERT M. ANTHONY, MD. PH.D S.A. PHILIP JOERGENSEN, MD WILLIAM F. VANDERPOOL JOHN W. MATTHEWS JAY S. BARNHART JR, MD TORREY D. JOHNSON RICHARD T. VAUGHAN WILLIAM MATTY DONALD A. BASSETT PHILLIPE JOURDAN, MD JOSEPH F. WAECKERLE LOUIS H. MINER RONALD BELLAMY, MD MORRIS I. KERSTEIN,MD EUGENE J. WOLBERG WILLIAM H. MORRIS YORAM BEN-MENACHEM, MD BEAT P. KNEUBUEHL GREGORY B. MORRISON STANTON BERG PETER J.T. KNUDSEN, MD JOHN LAURENCE MOSS PATRICK BESANT-MATTHEWS, MD PETER G. KOKALIS RUPRECHT NENNSTI EL L.W. BLUM, MD M. JAMES KREISER EDWARD J. NOWICKI ALAN P. BOEHM SOREN KROMANN JENSEN, MD TECHNICAL CONSULTA NTS ROBERT W. PARKER ANTHONY D. BOYNTON, MD JOHN K. LATTIMER MD, SeD CHRIS POLLACK BG J.P.L. BRETEAU, DVM DOUGLAS LINDSEY MD, Dr. PH ROBERT J. POSNER MICHAEL BULLIAN DUNCAN MAC PHERSON ROBERT BROWN JOHN H. PRIDE WILLIAM E. BURKHALTEA, MD JOHN V. MARRACCINI D.J. BUTLER TODD REEVES JOHN CHARLES CAYTON MERRILL D. MARTIN RICHARD DALE CARTER BERNIE SCHECTER EDUARD CELENS LANCE T. MARTINI JEFFREY CHUDWIN MAC SCOTT GUS COTEY JR. RICHARD T. MASON, MD HARRY L. COURTNEY, JR. SUSAN E. SIEFERT GLENN V. DALRYMPLE, MD NORMAN MC SWAIN JR. MD LEON DAY DONALD E. SMITH JOSEPH H. DAVIS, MD DAVID L. MEYER, MD CLIFFORD R. DEMPSTER NICK STEADMAN VINCENT J.M. Dl MAIO, MD JOHN MEYER, MD ANTHONY J. DONALDSON L.J. STEPHENSON PAUL M. DOUGHERTY DAVID G. MOHLER, MD RUBEN A. FLORES GILES R. STOCK PAUL J. DOUGHERTY, MD DAVID SELWYN MORRIS, MD RAY A. FREEMAN RICHARD K. STROUD MARTIN L. FACKLER, MD KEN NEWGARD, MD ROGER FROST PAUL JOSEPH SZABO JAMES P. GEIGER, MD W. HAYS PARKS JESS I. GALAN JIMMIE L. TRAHIN MICHEAL GIBERSON ANTHONY L. PAUL WILFRID M. GILL JR., MD DONALD TRUNKEY, MD RAYMOND M. GIESZL CHARLES S. PETTY, MD DONALD L. GUNNELL DWIGHT D. VAN HORN STANLEY GODDARD DONALD T. REAY, MD JAMES EDWARD HAMBY JAMES WARNER LUCIEN C. HAAG GREGORY D. REIBER, MD MARION P. HAMMER GAYLAN WARREN JOHN E. HAMMAN GARY K. ROBERTS, DDS ROBERT R. HAWKINS DAVID J. WEBER WILLIAM LEE HEARN JOSEPH M. RUSTICK, MD LARRY E. HOBACK WILLIAM H. WOODIN DONALD M. HENRIKSON, M.D. EDWARD V. RYCZKO PETER A. KASLER STEVEN D. WOYCHESHIN JEREMY J. HOLLERMAN, MD HANNU 0. SAVOLAINEN, MD DON B. KATES JR. ROBERT ZEPPA, MD ROBERT T. HOLZ JOHN C. SCHAEFER MARK HUMPHREVILLE GREGORY A. SCHMUNK, MD

Fall/92 47 46 Fall/92 ------IWBA MEMBERSHIP POLICY

• The IWBA is unlike many other associations in that our Full Member and Technical Consultant memberships are only available by invitation. There is no automatic qualification for Full Mem­ ber or Technical Consultant status. For example: While most Full Members are physicians, having a medical degree is not sufficient for Full Membership; and although many Technical Consultants are law enforcement members, atl police officers are not automatically eligible to become TC1s.

• The primary consideration in our decision to invite individuals to become Full Members is that they have a solid understanding of elementary wound ballistics. Full Members must also be (or have been) actively engaged in wound ballistics research and have niade contributions to the body of knowledge.Technical Consultants are chosen for their expertise in related areas which will be of value to our Association.

• To those who are interested in becoming Full Members or Technical Consultants, we recom­ mend that they first become Associate Members and contribute articles to the Journal and/or send examples of their work which might qualify them for FM or TC status.

• It is our hope that Full Membership or Technical Consultant status in the IWBA will have an intrinsic value by virtue of the caliber, expertise, knowledge, experience, and accomplishments of our members.

Th e IWBA seeks quality in our membership; not quantity.

Associate Membership: ($40/yr) is available to anyone interested in wound ballistics. AM1s will receive four issue of the Journal and all other IWBA mailings

Subscriber: ($40/yr) is available to libraries and other organizations which only wish to receive the Journal. SUBSCRIPTION FORM

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

International Wound Ballistics Association Associate I Subscriber Membership PO Box 634, Pinole, CA 94564 USA (circle one)

Name ------

Mailing Address ------

City ------State _____ ZIP ______

Country ______I have enclosed my four issue subscription fee of: $40 D ($48 for Canadian or Mexican addresses: $58 for all others.)