ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 1979
Page Count: 12

The Effect of Glass as an Intermediate Target on Bullets: Experimental Studies and Report of a Case
Stahl, CJ
Chairman, National Naval Medical Center, Md.

Johnson, FB
Assistant chairman, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology,

Luke, JL
Chief medical examiner, Government of the District of Columbia,

Jones, SR
Assistant chairman, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology,

(Received 22 April 1978; accepted 22 May 1978)

Abstract

It is well known that intermediate targets may influence the distribution of pellets in fatal injuries by shotguns [1–3] and that a variety of objects, including glass, window screens, and articles of clothing, may serve as intermediary targets for bullets, may cause ricochet of bullets, or may become secondary missiles [4,5]. Although methods are available for examination and comparison of glass fragments, recent textbooks do not consider the potential effect of glass as an intermediate target on the characteristics of the wound of entrance. The results of experimental ballistic studies with glass, as well as a medico-legal case, are discussed in this report.

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Paper ID: JFS10784J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10784J
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