A forensic-based study on low angled AK rifle bullet entry wounds using a porcine model

Abstract

An entry wound normally carries more macroscopic evidence than found in exit wounds. In addition to common wound characteristics of an entry wound such as an abrasion collar, burn marks etc., large amounts of trace evidences from the bullet and gun such as gunshot residues, powder tattoo, grease ring (bullet wipe) etc., are also present in entry wounds making them a richer source of evidence than exit wounds. This forensic-based study explores the low-angled entry wound characteristics of AK rifle bullets (7,62 mm × 39 mm) on porcine skin. This demonstrated a special entry wound characteristic similar to the commonly reported “abrasion ring” but differs in structure with an abraded area around the entry wounds and more significantly damaged outer margins. A significant inverse relationship between the AK bullet's approaching angle and the length of the external entry wound has also been reported in this work, with each finding contributing new knowledge to the forensic pathology of gunshot wounds. The findings of this study also have the potential to aid in shooting incident reconstructions.