Comparison of temporal cavity indicators when firing “FORT 12R” and “AE 790G1” into a non-biological body simulator

Abstract

Gunshot injuries are extremely dangerous due to the extremely unpredictable compliance of ammunition after contact with the body. One of the key elements that takes place in this case is the formation due to high kinetic energy of a temporary cavity, which, despite its existence for a fraction of a second, causes severe damage to the tissues of the human body. The study of this phenomenon is one of the central elements of ballistics and requires an experiment on optically transparent media. The purpose of the study is to compare the parameters of the temporal cavity when fired from the “FORT 12R” and “AE 790G1” pistols into a non-biological simulator of the human body. To achieve the goal, 120 gelatin blocks were produced according to the generally accepted method, which were to be shot at close range, 25 and 50 cm. The blocks were left bare before shooting, or covered with cotton fabric, denim fabric or leatherette. After firing, transverse sections of the blocks were made in order to further measure the parameters of the temporary cavity formed as a result of the firing, according to generally accepted methods. The results of the analysis of the received data regarding the indicators characterizing the dimensions of the temporary cavity at different depths of the wound channel revealed a number of significant differences (p<0.05-0.01) between the studied pistols (in almost all cases, “AE 790G1” had larger values), groups of blocks covered with different types of fabrics, bare blocks (in almost all cases, the clothing had protective properties and reduced the size of the temporary cavity) and allowed to establish that during shots from the “FORT 12R” there was a sharp increase in the size of the temporary cavity with its sharp decrease at the end of the wound channel, while with shots from the “AE 790G1” the temporary cavity gradually increases, reaching a maximum at half the depth and then just as gradually decreases. Thus, when comparing the “FORT 12R” and “AE 790G1” pistols, differences in the features of the formation of the temporary cavity were revealed, which in turn is of interest not only for forensics, ballistics and forensic medicine, but also for clinical medicine.