The Accuracy and Repeatability of Reconstructing Single Bullet Impacts Using the 2D Ellipse Method

© 2020 American Academy of Forensic Sciences..

When a bullet punctures a surface, it leaves behind a bullet impact, which can be analyzed in order to determine the origin and trajectory path from which a bullet was discharged using many different scientific methods to reconstruct a shooting scene. The purpose of the research was to test the accuracy and repeatability of reconstructing the impact angle of single bullet impacts using the ellipse method. The research was conducted by firing various calibers of ammunition into drywall panels positioned at varying angles of incidence from 88° until ricochet occurred. This was done in order to determine which caliber type and angle of incidence are most accurate and precise for reconstructing a shooting scene. The study examined four caliber types fired into drywall panels, with 5 repeated shots for each of the 11 angles of incidence (n = 220). Furthermore, 31 participants partook in the study to estimate a bullet impact angle of incidence utilizing the ellipse method. The results show that the best performance (accuracy and repeatability) is seen with the measurements of the 0.45 caliber ammunition. When angle of incidences is low (<64°), the performance (accuracy and repeatability) was seen to be better in all caliber ammunitions. Overall, the data provided for single bullet impacts deposited in drywall show that the ellipse method is useful in providing measurements for most crime scene reconstruction purposes and has also demonstrated that results vary depending on the type of ammunition, firearm, and angle of incidence being examined.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:65

Enthalten in:

Journal of forensic sciences - 65(2020), 4 vom: 17. Juli, Seite 1120-1127

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Walters, Miguel [VerfasserIn]
Liscio, Eugene [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Accuracy
Bullet trajectory analysis
Ellipse method
Forensic ballistics
Journal Article
Repeatability
Shooting scene reconstruction

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 03.07.2020

Date Revised 03.07.2020

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE

doi:

10.1111/1556-4029.14309

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM306853914