Lead Bullets Research Articles

Discrimination of Bullet Types Using Analysis of Lead Isotopes Deposited in Gunshot Entry Wounds

In order to discriminate bullet types used in firearms, of which the victims died, the authors investigated lead isotope ratios in gunshot entry wounds from nine lead (unjacketed) bullets, 15 semi-jacketed bullets, and 14 full-jacketed bullets by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. It was found that the lead isotope ratio of 207/206 in gunshot entry wounds was the highest with lead bullets, and it decreased in order from full-jacketed to semi-jacketed bullets. Lead isotope ratios of 208/206 or 208/207 to 207/206 at the gunshot entry wound were able to discriminate semi-jacketed bullets from lead and full-jacketed ones, but it was difficult to discriminate between lead and full-jacketed bullets. However, a combination of element and lead isotope ratio analyses in gunshot entry wounds enabled discrimination between lead, semi-jacketed, and full-jacketed bullets.

Dissolution, transport, and fate of lead on a shooting range in the Jefferson National Forest near Blacksburg, VA, USA

Samples taken from a shooting range near Blacksburg, VA, USA provide information about the reservoirs and pathways of lead at shooting ranges in an upland setting and humid environment. The metallic lead shot corrodes rapidly and develops a coating of hydrocerussite (Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2). Hydrocerussite dissolution releases soluble lead at concentrations ranging from 2 ppb to 2 ppm depending the soil pH values at this site. This soluble lead is captured by the Fe and Mn oxides and carbonates soil fractions. The highest concentration of extractable lead contained in the soil was directly correlated with the highest concentration of lead shot and bullets measured on the shotgun range surface. Eh-pH and hydrolysis diagrams provide a useful geochemical framework for understanding the corrosion process, recognizing the corrosion product(s), understanding their solubility, and identifying the geochemical barriers to lead migration that provides a basis for selecting best management practices for this and other shooting range.

Comparing the Performance of IBIS and BulletTRAX‐3D Technology Using Bullets Fired Through 10 Consecutively Rifled Barrels*

This study evaluates the abilities of the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS) and BulletTRAX-3D electronic imaging systems to identify bullets fired by the same weapon in a large database of images. Ten consecutively rifled handgun barrels were test fired to obtain reference sample and known match sample pairs for upload onto both bullet acquisition systems. Both copper-jacketed and lead bullets were uploaded, to account for variations in the manner in which markings are reproduced on the different metal compositions. Ranked correlation lists were examined and evaluated. For copper-jacketed bullet correlations, both IBIS and BulletTRAX-3D identified all reference samples to their known matches within the top 10 positions. For lead bullets, BulletTRAX-3D identified all reference samples to their known match in the top 10 positions while IBIS identified only 30%. For inter composition comparisons, BulletTRAX-3D was more successful than IBIS, identifying 100% of reference samples to their known match in the top 20 for copper-jacketed to lead comparisons and 90% for lead to copper-jacketed comparisons. These results suggest that BulletTRAX-3D is more effective than IBIS in the analysis of a wider range of bullet types and it was also found to produce images of superior quality.

Arthropathy caused by a lead bullet in a dog

A 3-year-old spayed female Labrador Retriever was evaluated for progressive lameness of the left forelimb 21 months after being shot in the elbow with a lead bullet. Physical examination findings were consistent with moderate osteoarthritis of the left elbow joint. Orthogonal radiographic views of the elbow revealed multiple metallic fragments in and around the joint space as well as signs of osteoarthritis. The elbow joint was evaluated arthroscopically. A lead-based bullet fragment was seen in the lateral synovial compartment and removed in multiple pieces. Excess fibrin and synovium were removed, and microfractures were created in exposed subchondral bone to stimulate neovascularization and fibrocartilage formation. In a follow-up telephone conversation 4 months after surgery, the owner reported a marked improvement in the lameness. Removal of lead intra-articular foreign bodies may be indicated even if the material is not believed to mechanically interfere with joint motion.

The identification of lead ammunition as a source of lead exposure in First Nations: The use of lead isotope ratios

The use of lead shotshell to hunt water birds has been associated with lead-contamination in game meat. However, evidence illustrating that lead shotshell is a source of lead exposure in subsistence hunting groups cannot be deemed definitive. This study seeks to determine whether lead shotshell constitutes a source of lead exposure using lead isotope ratios. We examined stable lead isotope ratios for lichens, lead shotshell and bullets, and blood from residents of Fort Albany and Kashechewan First Nations, and the City of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and regression analyses. ANOVA of isotope ratios for blood revealed significant differences with respect to location, but not sex. Hamilton differed from both Kashechewan and Fort Albany; however, the First Nations did not differ from each other. ANOVA of the isotope ratios for lead ammunition and lichens revealed no significant differences between lichen groups (north and south) and for the lead ammunition sources (pellets and bullets). A plot of 206Pb/ 204Pb and 206Pb/ 207Pb values illustrated that lichens and lead ammunition were distinct groupings and only the 95% confidence ellipse of the First Nations group overlapped that of lead ammunition. In addition, partial correlations between blood-lead levels (adjusted for age) and isotope ratios revealed significant ( p < 0.05) positive correlations for 206Pb/ 204Pb and 206Pb/ 207Pb, and a significant negative correlation for 208Pb/ 206Pb, as predicted if leaded ammunition were the source of lead exposure. In conclusion, lead ammunition was identified as a source of lead exposure for First Nations people; however, the isotope ratios for lead shotshell pellets and bullets were indistinguishable. Thus, lead-contaminated meat from game harvested with lead bullets may also be contributing to the lead body burden.

Pediatric ingestion of seven lead bullets successfully treated with outpatient whole bowel irrigation

"Pediatric ingestion of seven lead bullets successfully treated with outpatient whole bowel irrigation." Clinical Toxicology, 46(9), p. 919

Bullet-induced synovitis as a cause of secondary osteoarthritis of the hip joint: A case report and review of literature

BackgroundWith increasing prevalence of gunshot injuries we are seeing more patients with retained bullet fragments lodged in their bodies. Embedded lead bullets are usually considered inert after their kinetic energy has dissipated hence these are not removed routinely. However, exposure of any foreign body to synovial fluid may lead to rapid degradation and hence result in systemic absorption, causing local and systemic symptoms. We present the case of a thirty year old man who came to our out patient department with a history of progressive, severe hip pain ten years after a gun shot injury to his right hip.ConclusionThe common belief that intraarticular bullets should not be removed has no benefit and may result in unwanted long term complications.

Differences in the Element Contents Between Gunshot Entry Wounds with Full-jacketed Bullet and Lead Bullet

To elucidate characteristics of gunshot residues in gunshot entry wounds with full-jacketed and lead bullets, element contents in entry gunshot wounds and control skins were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). It was found that a high content of Fe and Zn was deposited in the gunshot entry wounds with full-jacketed bullet, whereas a high content of Pb was deposited in the gunshot entry wounds with lead (unjacked) bullet. It should be noted that the content of Pb was significantly higher in the gunshot entry wounds with lead bullet than in those with full-jacketed bullet. Regarding the relationships among elements, it was found that there were significant direct correlations between Pb and either Sb or Ba contents in both gunshot entry wounds with full-jacketed and lead bullets. As Pb increased in both gunshot entry wounds, Sb and Ba also increased in the wounds.

Tensile strength measurements of frangible bullets using the diametral compression test

Frangible bullets are designed to disintegrate on impact against rigid surfaces to avoid ricochet hazards in recreational shooting ranges or law enforcement training facilities. Their impact behavior against protective soft body armor is therefore quite different than conventional lead bullets, which are designed to expand on impact rather than shatter into fragments. Models to predict the impact of frangible bullets on soft body armor are currently sought to aid in the development of new performance standards for the law enforcement community against this unusual ballistic threat. Modeling success rests on the availability of constitutive data for frangible materials used in these bullets, such as tensile strength. To supply these critical data, the tensile strength of a Cu–Sn frangible bullet material is measured using the diametral compression test at quasi-static ( 1 μ m / s ) and high ( 12.5 m / s ) displacement rates. The latter tests are conducted using a Kolsky bar. Finite element modeling is used to calculate the stress in the specimen at failure. Using a maximum tensile strain criterion, the effective tensile strength was found to be 104 MPa ± 14 MPa . Tensile strength was not strongly sensitive to the displacement rate.

弾丸の変形に伴う弾径と腔旋痕角の変化

Approximately thirty percent of .38 caliber revolvers seized in Japan are home-made guns called Paltik which were made in Cebu Island, in the Philippines. Bullets fired from Paltik have the following general characteristics; (1) Rifling mark is rough and unclear because of crudely finished rifling of bore. (2) Bullet is elongated because bore diameter is usually smaller than specified value. With the improvement of the manufacturing skill of Paltik nowadays, it has become difficult to distinguish that were fired from Paltik and an authentic gun based on the characteristic indicated in (1). When the rifling mark of a bullet in question looks neat, the characteristic indicated in (2) becomes critical to identify make of the firearm. As evidence bullets usually deform to some extent, it is necessary to clarify the rate of diameter change in deformed bullets. In this study, .38 Special bullets were shot into thick steel plate, concrete blocks and polycarbonate plate at a right angle from a Smith & Wesson revolver and the following results were obtained: A) The diameter in the base of lead bullets which were impacted into a thick steel plate was contracted up to 7.4%. B) The angle of twist of the rifling mark was reduced from 21% to 24% when lead bullets were impacted into a thick steel plate or concrete blocks.

Effects of shock‐induced cracks on the ultrasonic velocity and attenuation in granite

Measurements of the compressional wave velocity and the attenuation coefficients of 1‐cm cubes were conducted. Samples were taken at various radii and depths beneath a 20 × 20 × 15 cm San Marcos granite block, impacted by a lead bullet at a velocity of 1200 m/s. The damage parameters of the cubes are calculated from the measured preimpact and postimpact P wave velocities, Vp0 and Vp, and the crack density is inverted from the measured P wave velocities. The anisotropic orientation of cracks is more obvious from the attenuation than crack density and damage parameters calculated from the ultrasonic velocity. P wave velocity and the normalized distance from the impact point follow an exponential decay relation. Other properties, such as the damage parameter, crack density, and attenuation coefficient, are expressed by a power law decay with distance. The damage parameter and attenuation coefficients are approximately linearly related. The slope of the linear fitting results in directions normal to the crack orientation is about twice the value in direction along the crack orientation. The attenuation coefficient is found to be a more useful parameter than elastic velocity in describing the anisotropic orientation of cracks.

Mortality Factors, Helminth Burden, and Contaminant Residues in White-tailed Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) from Finland

Eleven white-tailed sea eagles (WSEs) (Haliaeetus albicilla) collected in Finland between 1994 and 2001 were examined for their causes of death, including analyses of ubiquitous environmental contaminants and parasites. Four WSEs died due to electrocution. Two were lead poisoned and another had fragments of a lead bullet in its gizzard. An 11-year-old female drowned entangled in fishing gear, but also had mercury levels in its liver and kidneys known for detrimental physiological effects. One WSE was evidently killed by an intraspecific conflict, which was also assumed to be with another bird. The mortality factors of two WSEs could not be clarified, but one had a lead level of 4.604 microg g(-1) in its liver, indicating high lead exposure at a clinically relevant concentration. All organ levels of chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and cadmium were moderate and not harmful for birds of prey. Seven helminth species, but no ectoparasites or coccidians, were found in 8 of 10 WSEs investigated for parasites. The highest prevalence of 40% was found for the liver fluke Metorchis billis, but no severe parasitosis was diagnosed for the eagles. The two acanthocephalan species Corynosoma semerme and Polymorphus meyeri are both new records for WSEs.

Effects of Microbial and Phosphate Amendments on the Bioavailability of Lead (Pb) in Shooting Range Soil

Heavy metals including lead (Pb) are released continually into the environment as a result of industrial, recreational, and military activities. Lead ranked number two on the CERCLA Priority List of Hazardous Substances and was identified as a major hazardous chemical found on 47% of USEPA's National Priorities List sites (Hettiarachchi and Pierzynski 2004). In-situ remediation of lead (Pb) contaminated soils may be accomplished by changing the soil chemistry and structure with the application of microbial and phosphate amendments. Soil contaminated with lead bullets was collected from the surface of the berm at Savannah River Site (SRS) Small Arms Training Academy (SATA) in Aiken, SC. While uncontaminated soils typically have Pb levels ranging from 2 to 200 mg/kg (Berti et al. 1998), previous analysis show Pb levels of the SATA berm to reach 8,673 mg/kg. Biosurfactants are surface-active compounds naturally produced by soil bacteria that can bind metals. Biosurfactants have a wide variety of chemical structures that reduce interfacial surface tensions (Jennings and Tanner 2000) and have demonstrated efficient metal complexion (Lin 1996). Biosurfactants also have the potential to change the availability of natural organic matter (Strong-Gunderson 1995). Two types of bacteria, Alcaligenes piechaudii and Pseudomonas putida, were employed as amendmentsmore » based on their ability to produce biosurfactants and survive in metal-contaminated soils. Apatites (calcium phosphate compounds) are important in the formation of Pb phosphates. Pb phosphates form rapidly when phosphate is available and are the most stable environmental form of lead in soil (Ruby et al.1998). Pyromorphites in particular remain insoluble under a wide range of environmental conditions (Zhang et al. 1998). The three apatites evaluated in the current study were North Carolina apatite (NCA), Florida apatite (FA), and biological apatite (BA). BA is ground fish bone that has few impurities such as As, Cr, or U and contains about 27% total phosphate, most of which is available. FA and NCA are two types of rock phosphates that release small amounts of phosphate over time. Total phosphate is around 30% with only 1-2% phosphate available (Knox et al. 2005). In this study, we describe the influence of combining the two microbial and three phosphate amendments on reducing lead bioavailability in shooting range soil.« less

1093 PUBLICATION Concomitant radiochemotherapy with mitomycin c and cisplatin in inoperable carcinoma of the head and neck: preliminary results of phase II study

The Swiss inventor Max Ulrich Schoop is believed to be the “father” of thermal spray technology, as he submitted the first two patents in Germany and Switzerland for a metal spraying process delivering “dense metallic coatings” in the year 1909. This invention was based on the well known observation of his children shooting with Flobert guns in the garden, where the lead bullets formed splats when hitting the wall. But who was this Mr. Schoop?Max Ulrich Schoop completed his basic school in Zurich and apprenticeship in graphic processes at the Kronenberg Institute in Allgäu (Germany). After that he returned to Switzerland as a photographer's assistant and later on as a portrait retoucher.As his oldest brother Paul worked as a director of a factory for batteries, Schoop was sent to the Moscow branch, where he left due to health reasons and went to Nizhny–Novgorod as a French and piano teacher. When he returned to Zurich in 1895 he started to study Physics and Electrotechnology at the Technical University of Zurich. After that he went to Vienna and Cologne, back in the accumulator business. In the year 1903 he went to Paris, where he invented the welding of aluminium. In order to market his invention he travelled to the United States of America where he also met Thomas Alva Edison in the year 1907. Schoop then returned to Zurich and opened his own laboratory in the year 1910 to further develop the thermal spray technology for the next 35 years. He finally died in Zurich on February 29, 1956 at the age of 85.May this summary elucidate this brilliant person at the centenary of the first thermal spray patent application.

Forensic Significance of Bullet Lead Compositions

The concentrations of seven elements in projectile lead specimens received as evidence were used to assess the frequency of the occurrence of two unrelated samples having indistinguishable compositions. A set of data from 1837 samples was selected for this study from a sampling of 23,054 lead bullets and shot pellets received as evidence in the FBI Laboratory over the period 1989 through 2002. The method used for selection of samples from case submissions ensured that no two samples of the same general type from the same case were included and that no bias was introduced concerning representation of manufacturers or production sources. A total of 1,686,366 pairwise lead sample comparisons were made using the concentrations of the elements Sb, Cu, As, Ag, Bi, Sn, and Cd using a match criterion of two times the sum of the standard deviations of the paired samples. Of the 1837 samples, 1397 samples, or 76%, are distinguishable from every other sample in this study. The total number of indistinguishable sample pairs is 674, for a frequency of 1 out of every 2502 comparisons. The frequency of occurrence of matching samples decreases as the number of measured elements is increased and as the precision of the measurements improves. For bullets in which all seven elements were determined, the match frequency is 1 in 7284. Compositional comparison of bullet lead provides a reliable, highly significant point of evidentiary comparison of potential sources of crime-related bullets.

Concentrations of heavy metals in the tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from the region of Warmia and Mazury, Poland

Cadmium, lead, copper and zinc were quantified using a validated ICP/MS method in the tissues and organs of 82 specimens of red deer of different sexes and ages, which had been hunted at the Great Lakes Land region in the north-eastern of Poland in 2000–01. Copper and zinc occurred in liver, kidney and muscle tissue of red deer at concentrations of 6.4–29, 3.3–7.2 and 1.9–6.4, and of 19–43, 17–41 and 19–64 mg kg−1, respectively, which are considered typical for the species, age and gender compared with values noted for some other wild and domestic ruminant species elsewhere. For cadmium and lead, the concentrations decreased in the order kidney > liver > muscle tissue, with overall means of 2.2, 0.19, and 0.10, 0.31, and 0.26, 0.22 mg kg−1 wet weight, respectively. The cadmium content of the kidney of a proportion of red deer sampled exceeded the legal tolerance limits set in Poland. The means (but not individual animal data) obtained for cadmium in kidney and liver correlated (0.99) with the age of red deer. Also, the lead content of the muscle meat of red deer for many carcasses exceeded the legal limit, which was probably due to contamination from the fine dust particle remains from the lead bullets used.

The Beat

The Beat

Localization of firearm projectiles in the human body using a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer: A theoretical study

A technique had been previously developed, based on magnetic field measurements using a superconducting quantum interference device sensor, to localize in three dimensions steel needles lost in the human body. In all six cases that were treated until now, the technique allowed easy surgical localization of the needles with high accuracy. The technique decreases, by a large factor, the surgery time for foreign body extraction, and also reduces the generally high odds of failure. The method is accurate, noninvasive, and innocuous, and with clear clinical importance. Despite the importance of needle localization, the most prevalent foreign body in the modern society is the firearm projectile (bullet), generally composed of lead, a paramagnetic material, thus not presenting a remanent magnetic field as steel needles do. On the other hand, since lead is a good conductor, eddy current detection techniques can be employed, by applying an alternating magnetic field with the aid of excitation coils. The primary field induces eddy currents on the lead, which in turn generate a secondary magnetic field that can be detected by a magnetometer, and give information about position and volume of the conducting foreign body. In this article we present a theoretical study for the development of a localization technique for lead bullets inside the human body. Initially, we present a model for the secondary magnetic field generated by the bullet, given a known applied field. After that, we study possible excitation systems, and propose a localization algorithm based on the detected magnetic field.

Lead contamination in shooting range soils from abrasion of lead bullets and subsequent weathering

Contamination of shooting range soils from the use of Pb bullets is under increasing scrutiny. Past research on Pb contamination of shooting ranges has focused on weathering reactions of Pb bullets in soil. The objective of this study was to determine the significance of abrasion of Pb bullets in contributing to soil Pb contamination. This was accomplished by firing a known mass of bullets into sand and analyzing for total Pb after removing bullets, through field sampling of a newly opened shooting range, and a laboratory weathering study. Forty-one mg of Pb were abraded per bullet as it passed through the sand, which accounted for 1.5% of the bullet mass being physically removed. At a shooting range that had been open for 3 months, the highest Pb concentration from the pistol range berm soil was 193 mg/kg at 0.5 m height, and from the rifle range berm soil was 1142 mg/kg at 1.0 m height. Most soils from the field abrasion experiment as well as soil collected from the rifle range had SPLP-Pb >15 μg/l (Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure). Typically, Pb concentration in the rifle range was greater than that of the pistol range. Based on a laboratory weathering study, virtually all metallic Pb was converted to hydrocerussite (Pb 3(CO 3) 2(OH) 2), as well as to a lesser extent cerussite (PbCO 3) and massicot (PbO) within one week. Our study demonstrated that abrasion of lead bullets and their subsequent weathering can be a significant source of lead contamination in soils of a newly opened shooting range.

ICP-MS trace-element analysis as a forensic tool.

Careful tracing of evidence at the site of a crime must be performed before suspects can be convicted of a crime or homicide. Fingerprints and ballistic control samples are important evidence. A common method used to examine lead bullets is comparison of physical properties such as weight, dimensions, shape, and distinctive markings. However ballistic investigations, for example comparison of characteristic scratches and marks left on fired bullets, do not always give sufficient information. Ballistic abrasion patterns can change for a variety of reasons, e.g. deformation or mechanical strain. Sometimes only particles remain in a victim's body. In such cases trace-element composition and lead-isotope ratios can be compared with those of controls. Elemental composition of particles and deformed bullets have been compared with the elemental fingerprints and isotope ratios of potential bullet types found on suspects. The applicability of the method was studied for two different cases. Data interpretation and several limitations of the technique are also discussed in this paper.