A study of the morphology of gunshot entrance wounds, in connection with their dynamic creation, utilizing the “skin–skull–brain model”

Abstract

The goal of this study was to document the dynamic effects created within, and the developing mechanisms of a gunshot entrance wound to the skin utilizing high-speed photography and the “skin–skull–brain model”. The high-speed photography was taken with an Imacon 468/Hadland-Photonics camera. Full metal jacketed, 9 mm Luger projectiles were fired at the target model from a distance of 10 m. During the evaluation of the “skin–skull–brain model”, it was possible to show that injuries inflicted to this model are fully comparable to the morphology of equivalent real gunshot entrance wounds. It has been possible to document and study the dynamic process of the “bullet–skin-interaction” in the gunshot entrance wound. The development of the morphologic terms of the entrance wound are discussed. In combination with high-speed photography, this “skin–skull–brain model” is a perfect tool for the documentation and the study of the dynamic development of gunshot entrance wounds in the skin.