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Revision as of 06:10, 30 November 2013 editCaptain Quirk (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,235 editsm →Terminal effects← Previous edit Revision as of 23:51, 3 January 2014 edit undoSchreiberBike (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers310,433 edits You can help. Repaired link to the disambiguation page, Absorption. Also some copy editing.Next edit →
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==Terminal effects== ==Terminal effects==
] are very devastating, as the body ]<nowiki/>s the entire discharge of the ], not just the ]. Even a ] can cause lethal wounds if fired in contact with the body, so ]s ("bang sticks"), which are intended to fire at contact range, are often loaded with blanks. ] are very devastating, as the body absorbs the entire discharge of the ], not just the ]. Even a ] can cause lethal wounds if fired in contact with the body, so ]s (bang sticks), which are intended to fire at contact range, are often loaded with blanks.


Firearms such as ]s and ]s often have additional materials in the shot, such as a ] or ]. While they are generally too lightweight to penetrate at longer ranges, they will penetrate in a contact shot. Since these are often made of porous materials such as ] and ], there is a significantly elevated risk of ] from the wound. Firearms such as ]s and ]s often have additional materials in the shot, such as a ] or ]. While they are generally too lightweight to penetrate at longer ranges, they will penetrate in a contact shot. Since these are often made of porous materials such as ] and ], there is a significantly elevated risk of ] from the wound.


==Characteristics== ==Characteristics==
In the field of ], the characteristics of a contact shot are often an important part of recreating a shooting. A contact shot produces a distinctive wound, with extensive tissue damage from the burning ]. Unlike a shot from ], the powder burns will cover a very small area right around the entry wound; often there will be a distinct pattern, called ''tattooing''. Star-shaped tattooing is often caused by the ] in the gun barrel, and distinct patterns may also be made by ]s or ]s. The shape of the tattooing may help identify the firearm used. In the field of ], the characteristics of a contact shot are often an important part of recreating a shooting. A contact shot produces a distinctive wound, with extensive tissue damage from the burning ]. Unlike a shot from ], the powder burns will cover a very small area right around the entry wound; often there will be a distinct pattern, called ''tattooing''. Star-shaped tattooing is often caused by the ] in the gun barrel, and distinct patterns may also be made by ]s or ]s. The shape of the tattooing may help identify the firearm used.


In many cases, the body's absorption of the muzzle blast will act as a ], trapping the propellant gases under the skin and muffling the sound of the shot. In many cases, the body's absorption of the muzzle blast will act as a ], trapping the propellant gases under the skin and muffling the sound of the shot.
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*{{cite journal |author=Perdekamp MG, Schmidt U, Rupp W, Braunwarth R, Rost T, Pollak S |title=Contact shot with unusual soot pattern |journal=Forensic Sci. Int. |volume=149 |issue=1 |pages=75–9 |year=2005 |month=April |pmid=15734113 |doi=10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.06.035 |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0379-0738(04)00349-4}} *{{cite journal |author=Perdekamp MG, Schmidt U, Rupp W, Braunwarth R, Rost T, Pollak S |title=Contact shot with unusual soot pattern |journal=Forensic Sci. Int. |volume=149 |issue=1 |pages=75–9 |year=2005 |month=April |pmid=15734113 |doi=10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.06.035 |url=http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0379-0738(04)00349-4}}
*{{cite journal |author=Rothschild MA, Maxeiner H |title=Unusual findings in a case of suicide with a gas weapon |journal=Int. J. Legal Med. |volume=106 |issue=5 |pages=274–6 |year=1994 |pmid=8068574 |doi=10.1007/BF01225420 |url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/p7031886u3375052/}} *{{cite journal |author=Rothschild MA, Maxeiner H |title=Unusual findings in a case of suicide with a gas weapon |journal=Int. J. Legal Med. |volume=106 |issue=5 |pages=274–6 |year=1994 |pmid=8068574 |doi=10.1007/BF01225420 |url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/p7031886u3375052/}}
*{{dead link|date=March 2012}} *{{dead link|date=March 2012}}


] ]

Revision as of 23:51, 3 January 2014

A contact shot is defined as a gunshot wound incurred while the muzzle of the firearm is in direct contact with the body at the moment of discharge. Contact shots are often the result of close range gunfight, suicide or execution. Some slaughterhouses use contact shots with firearms to stun or kill livestock during slaughter.

Terminal effects

Wounds caused by contact shots are very devastating, as the body absorbs the entire discharge of the cartridge, not just the projectile. Even a blank cartridge can cause lethal wounds if fired in contact with the body, so powerheads (bang sticks), which are intended to fire at contact range, are often loaded with blanks.

Firearms such as muzzleloaders and shotguns often have additional materials in the shot, such as a patch or wadding. While they are generally too lightweight to penetrate at longer ranges, they will penetrate in a contact shot. Since these are often made of porous materials such as cloth and cardboard, there is a significantly elevated risk of infection from the wound.

Characteristics

In the field of forensic ballistics, the characteristics of a contact shot are often an important part of recreating a shooting. A contact shot produces a distinctive wound, with extensive tissue damage from the burning propellant. Unlike a shot from point-blank range, the powder burns will cover a very small area right around the entry wound; often there will be a distinct pattern, called tattooing. Star-shaped tattooing is often caused by the rifling in the gun barrel, and distinct patterns may also be made by flash suppressors or muzzle brakes. The shape of the tattooing may help identify the firearm used.

In many cases, the body's absorption of the muzzle blast will act as a suppressor, trapping the propellant gases under the skin and muffling the sound of the shot.

See also

References

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