Journal Published Online: 01 July 1997
Volume 42, Issue 4

Findings in Gunshot Wounds from Tandem Projectiles

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Tandem projectiles are unusual events which can cause erroneous case interpretations if one is unfamiliar with them. This paper presents two such cases. The first case involved three .32 caliber bullets, two of which became lodged in a revolver barrel because of faulty ammunition. A third fired bullet subsequently pushed itself and the lodged bullets out of the barrel resulting in a single entrance wound with three bullets in the body. The second case involved a 20 gauge shotgun shell which apparently was inadvertently loaded into a 12 gauge shotgun. This resulted in an unusual entrance wound and unusual X-rays with fragments of the 20 gauge shotgun shell, as well as 12 gauge shotgun shell wadding, being removed from the same wound. The pertinent findings in such cases are discussed so that they may be correctly identified when they occur.

Author Information

Simmons, GT
University of Alabama at Birmingham and Jefferson County Medical Examiner Office, Birmingham, AL
Pages: 4
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Stock #: JFS14181J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14181J