Pneumatic Weapons Research Articles

1011 A Rare Case of Left Sided Hemiparesis Following a Pneumatic Gun-Shot Injury to Left Anterior Chest Wall in a 13-Year-Old Boy

Abstract Introduction Even though pneumatic weapons rarely cause severe direct trauma, pellet embolisation can lead to unexpected, catastrophic events. Case Report A 13-year-old, previously healthy boy was injured by an accidentally fired pneumatic gun, while playing with his twin brother. He sustained a penetrating wound to left anterior chest wall and resultant bleeding was self-limiting. He was hospitalised within 15minutes. On admission, he was hemodynamically stable with normal Respiratory, Cardiovascular and Neurological system findings. Entry wound measuring 5*5 mm was present at 5th intercostal space just left to the sternum. No exit wound was detected. Initial chest radiograph and ultra-sound abdomen and chest were normal. 2D echocardiogram revealed only a very thin layer(3mm) of pericardial effusion. Four hours later, He developed a focal seizure followed by left sided hemiparesis. Urgent NCCT brain and carotid artery duplex showed a high dense pellet in right internal carotid artery at the level of petrous temporal bone and hypo-dense Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) suggestive of right MCA thrombosis. He was transferred to a tertiary care centre. Interventional radiological and endo-vascular attempts of pellet retrieval have been failed. Ischemic stroke pursued with worsening cerebral oedema; thus decompression craniotomy was performed on day 3. He is currently being rehabilitated in a specialised centre. Conclusions High degree of suspicion should be maintained on the possibility of projectile embolisation, in pneumatic gun-shot injuries, especially in the absence of an exit wound. Extensive early investigations should be performed to localise the projectile and retrieval should be planned.

Evaluation of gunshot injuries to long bones from pneumatic weapons using a human thigh model. Part I. Introduction and assumptions. Discussion of shot ballistics. Human thigh model.

In accordance with the Polish law, pneumatic weapons are weapons that use compressed gas to set a bullet in motion and generate a discharge energy of more than 17J. In recent years, Poland has seen an increase in crimes committed with pneumatic weapons. The research aim of the present study was to measure the velocity of selected 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm caliber shot and to create a model of a human thigh using a pig femur. This study used Air Arms Hi-Power Xtra FAC cal. 5.5 mm and FX Bobcat Mk II cal. 6.35 mm carbines and Haendler& Natterman's Spitzkugel, Hollow Point and Baracuda cal. 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm lead shot and Excite Apollo cal. 5.5 mm and Black Max Lead-Free cal. 6.35 mm lead-free shot. The velocity of the shot at a distance of 10 m was measured and its kinetic energy was calculated; pig femurs were measured and CT imaging was performed. The 5.5mm caliber shot reached velocities between 253 m/s and 278 m/s, obtaining energies between 27J and 44J. The 6.35 mm cal. shot reached velocities between 242 m/s and 254 m/s and energies between 52J and 59J. Pig femurs had an average weight of 410 g, a length of 239 mm, and a shaft diameter at mid-length of 30.6mm. The thickness of pig femur shaft walls was variable. A ballistic model of the human thigh was created using gelatin available in Poland. 1. The number of registered crimes with pneumatic weapons and the wide access to pneumatic devices with the possibility of design modifications justify the initiation of experimental studies on the assessment of gunshot injuries from pneumatic weapons. 2. The parameters of the shaft of a pig femur obtained from pigs weighing about 115 kg are similar to those of a human adult femur, which makes it possible to create a human thigh model. 3. Of the 5.5 mm cal. shot, the highest impact energies were generated by barracuda type shot, and of the 6.35 mm cal. shot, it was barracuda type and lead-free shot. 4. The thickness of the bony layer of the pig femur shaft is heterogeneous; the posterior wall of the shaft is the thickest, the lateral wall is the thinnest; however, it shows the greatest individual variability.

Evaluation of gunshot injuries to long bones from pneumatic weapons using a human thigh model. Part II. Presentation and discussion of the detailed results of tests of gunshots of the anterior surface of the femur with 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm caliber shot.

The development of pneumatic shooting has led to the construction of technologically advanced devices with discharge energies similar to those of firearms. The pneumatic weapons ammunition market offers a variety of shot which varies in penetration properties and the extent of gunshot damage. In view of the ease of "tuning" of air rifles, a study was conducted of the inlet damage to the anterior femoral surface after pneumatic gunshots. The paper shows the differences in damage parameters depending on the type of shot. In the study, Air Arms Hi-Power Xtra FAC cal. 5.5 mm and FX Bobcat Mk II cal. 6.35 mm pneumatic carbines were used and lead shot by Haendler&Natterman's Spitzkugel type, Hollow Point and Baracuda cal. 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm, as well as lead-free shot Excite Apollo cal. 5.5 mm and Black Max Lead-Free cal. 6.35 mm. Measurements were taken of the extent of inlet damage to the anterior surface of the femoral shaft with X-ray and CT imaging. HollowPoint shot caused the greatest range of gunshot penetration damage in both bone and periosteum, Apollo lead-free shot caused the least. At the same time, HollowPoint shot showed the greatest susceptibility to ricocheting. 1. The type of shot used influences diversified morphology of the holes and the nature of gunshot damage to the femoral shaft. The differences concern both the gunshot holes and the nature, course and extent of associated fractures. 2. The smallest inlet holes and damage to the periosteum with a regular shape are caused by gunshots with pointed and pointed tip pellets. The greatest extent of bone and periosteum inlet damage was observed in gunshots with Hollow Point type shot due to its predisposition to deformation and fragmentation. 3. Radio-imaging studies are a valuable complement to macroscopic visual assessment providing a useful value for identifying the type of shot used.

USZKODZENIA TKANEK PRZEPIÓRKI JAPONSKIEJ (COTURNIX JAPONICA) SPOWODOWANYCH PRZEZ BRON PNEUMATYCZNĄ W BADANIACH OBRAZOWYCH I BALISTYCZNYCH

The widespread availability of legal pneumatic weapons is commonly abused to hurt animals. Determining the shotgun based on animal injuries is complex and requires the knowledge of gunshot wounds and animal tissues. In this study, a detailed gunshot wound analysis was conducted on bird carcasses. An attempt was made to examine damaged soft and hard tissues in Japanese quail. A ballistic device of low energy was used. It was found that the shot of an average velocity of 83 m · s–1 thoroughly penetrates a bird carcass of an average mass of 205.5 g. A head or a neck shot with the same velocity can lead to immediate death. The shot velocity of 110 m · s–1 generates enough energy to move a carcass. These prove how dangerous the weapon is when used to harm small animals. Further studies may contribute to creating a model of bird injuries produced by various shots and result in strict law on possession of low-energy pneumatic weapons in Poland.

Исследование лобового сопротивления малогабаритных летательных аппаратов при наличии продольного центрального сквозного канала

The paper presents the results of ballistic experiments to study the possibility of reducing the drag of small-sized aircraft, for example, bullets of the Match type for pneumatic weapons by upgrading their shape. The authors proposed the creation of a through cylindrical channel along the longitudinal axis, which ensures the flow of gas from the high-pressure zone in front of the bullet head to the low-pressure zone in the tail track. 5 types of bullet modifications with channels of different diameters are considered. The studies were carried out both with the admission of reversible air flow at the time of the shot, and with its exclusion. As a result, positive effects were identified for certain variants and a decrease in drag of the proposed modifications was estimated.

CASE OF VICTIM TORTURE IN FORENSIC EXPERT PRACTICE

Due to the presence of large number of pneumatic weapons in the possession of the population, both in Ukraine and in the world there is a signifi cant increase in the number of injuries due to gunshot, so the number of examinations of these cases in the practice of forensic experts is gradually increasing.

Исследование рассеивания и аэродинамического сопротивления модифицированных пуль при дозвуковых скоростях полета на баллистической трассе

The purpose of the work was to experimentally research and analyze the effect of the proposed modifications of a pneumatic bullet on the accuracy parameters of the shooting system with a subsonic initial speed. The study introduces variants of modernization of a bullet with a flat head part for pneumatic weapons, describes the external ballistic experiments carried out on the ballistic track of the Department of Dynamics and Flight Control of Rockets and Spacecraft of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, and theoretically substantiates the physics of the interaction between a bullet and the air, which became possible after analyzing the results of shooting. The obtained correlation between scattering characteristics of unguided aircraft and the type of modification of their aerodynamic shape is described. On the basis of the data obtained, modifications of the bullet shape were determined, leading not only to a decrease in aerodynamic drag, but also to a certain decrease in dispersion during shooting.

Juvenile responsibility for committing administrative offences related to firearms, cold steel and pneumatic weapons

Juvenile responsibility for committing administrative offences related to firearms, cold steel and pneumatic weapons

Thoracic and abdominal injuries caused by air weapons

Thoracic and abdominal injuries caused air weapons are rarer compared with gunshot wounds. Nevertheless, pneumatic weapons are able to inflict potentially fatal lesions despite small mass and dimension of projectile. Three clinical cases of patients with various internal injuries are presented in the article. Differentiated diagnostic and surgical approach is suggested.

Investigation of energy recovery during braking on hybrid cars using a pneumatic engine

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to develop methods for generating energy recovery parameters by studying the results of loads of the 3D model of the brake assembly with the Makhovikov energy recuperator based on pneumatic weapons. Also, trends in the development of the use of hybrid vehicles, in particular with energy recovery in the braking mode when using a pneumatic motor as an additional power unit, are also considered. Methodology. The article presents a technique for creating an energy balance in recuperation braking, since the braking system is one of the elements of active safety, it requires its detailed study and study. Therefore, an inertial (flywheel, mechatronic) energy storage device can be used as an alternative source of energy for vehicle power units, in which energy is stored in the form of mechanical energy of a disk or a cylinder that rotates rapidly. Kinetic energy of rotation, accumulated in a rotating body (flywheel). Originality. It is established that the most expedient is to use the input data established in the regulatory documents. Results. When testing vehicles equipped with a pneumatic drive and an energy recovery system, the share of the pneumatic regenerative braking system should not exceed the minimum level guaranteed by the design of the system.

The injuries to the nose and paranasal sinuses in the children resulting from shooting an air rifle

This article reports two clinical cases of the successful treatment of the gunshot wounds in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses of the children resulting from the careless use of the pneumatic weapons. Despite the fact that the shots were fired from a close distance, the intracranial structures and the eyeballs remained unaffected. The bullets were localized in the nasal septum of one child and in the frontal recess of the other as is typical of the injuries inflicted to the nose and paranasal sinuses by the shots from the air rifles. Multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) is known to have a number of important advantages over the roentgenological examination for determining the location of the bullets. Bullets for pneumatic rifles are manufactured in the form of the balls either from lead or copper-coated steel; therefore, they are a priory can not be removed with the use of a magnet.

Samodziałowa broń palna w materiale Laboratorium Kryminalistycznego KWP w Krakowie i Zakładu Medycyny Sądowej UJ CM w Krakowie – próba systematyki

Despite a very large variety of improvised firearms, repeatability of certain actions of the manufacturers can be observed, reflecting the purpose to which such weapons are produced (e.g. poaching), and the availability of appropriate technologies. The aim of this article is to make an attempt to systematize improvised firearms on the basis of the expert opinions elaborated at the Weapon Research and Ballistics Department of the Voivodeship Police Headquarters in Kraków (LK KWP) as well as studies carried out on weapons belonging to the collection of the Department of Forensic Medicine (ZMS) in Kraków. Research material included both primitive devices made by using simple methods and without concern for accuracy or aesthetics, as well as fine-tuned pieces with individual design solutions or copies of factory-made weapons. Improvised firearms can generally be divided into conversions and own designs. The conversion most frequently applies to alarm, gas or pneumatic weapons. It consists in removing factory safety mechanisms or, in the case of pneumatic weapons, in introducing technical modifications, which enable to blast off the cartridge and discharge the projectile by means of gas pressure arising during combustion of the propellant. Own designs may contain certain factory elements, most frequently the barrel, however, in most cases, they are manufactured from scratch. Improvised firearms, even those without the original elements, typically use ammunition with projectiles or, in some cases, the so called blank ammunition converted into live ammunition by adding projectiles.

DETERMINATION OF TYPE AND MARK OF PROJECTILES BY METHOD OF X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SPECTRAL ANALYSIS IN THE STUDY OF PNEUMATICALLY SHOT INJURIOUS TO SOME CLOTHING MATERIALS

The X-ray fluorescence spectral qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed for the elemental composition of 4 marks of bullets for pneumatic weapon of home and foreign production, and also for imitators of common clothing materials camouflage fabric and cotton knitwear. It is determined that lead bullets for pneumatic weapons are capable to introduce some elements of their composition, which are inherent in one or another mark of bullets, to the area of damage on certain clothing materials, in particular, camouflage fabric and cotton knitwear. This expands the possibilities of forensic medical examination when dealing with a problem of determining the type and mark of a bullet or of a small group of bullets similar in their elemental composition, due to which the pneumatical shot injuries of examined objects took place.

Classification of airgun shot injuries

Based on the analysis of airgun shot trauma by materials some Bureau of Forensic Medicine of Ukraine for 2006- 2015, using the previously proposed terminology and conceptual apparatus first developed unified classification containing 15th bases required for comprehensive response of airgun shot injuries. This classification is used for the study, description, diagnostics and statistical processing of airgun shot injuries as forensic doctors and clinicians.
 Damage caused to a person from modern airguns, currently is not well understood, particularly not classified. Analysis of airgun shot trauma showed that forensic doctors in research and in carrying out examinations of living persons and dead bodies, as well as clinicians in the care of the wounded from the pneumatic weapon need classification of airgun shot injuries which would be determined by their comprehensive features and would unify exploration, description and evaluation of the damage, in particular in formulation of diagnosis and reporting.
 Having studied and analyzed data from 98 of the Сonclusions of experts and Acts of the forensic medical examination of living persons (76) and bodies (22) with damage caused by pneumatic weapons made in some Bureau of Forensic Medicine of Ukraine in 2006-2015 as well as scientific works of domestic and foreign authors, devoted to the study of the problem of forensic (37 sources), monolingual, spelling and terminology dictionaries. Airgun shot injuries were divided according to the following fifteen principles: the form of the projectile, the action product shot, location, type of injuries, type of damaged tissues and organs of the body, the number of injuries, the degree of penetration into the body tissues, relative to the external environment, relative of the body, with respect to cavi- ties of the body, relative parts of the body, view of the wound channel, the severity of the injuries, the outcome of injuries, the distance of the shot.
 Conclusions: 1. The proposed classification will promote unified approach to forensic doctors during the study of airgun shot injuries and performing examinations of living persons and dead bodies of clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of victims, lawyers in assessing the findings of forensic experts. 2. It is considered appropriate to mention in the accounting documents airgun damage separately. 3. Further systematization of airgun shot injuries will provide the necessary methodological bases for their research, which will contribute to a deeper study of this problem.

Reporte de caso: muerte violenta ocasionada por proyectil de arma neumática en Soacha, Colombia, 2015

Propósito: las heridas por armas neumáticas no ocupan un lugar significativo de las estadísticas del Sistema de Salud en Colombia. Este tipo de armas, a nivel mundial, no son objeto de regulación legal. Se requieren procesos de intervención en el aspecto social y leyes estrictas que regulen el empleo de estas armas consideradas juguetes. Temas: en la literatura médica se reporta con poca o nula frecuencia la mortalidad del evento. La mayoría de casos no fatales reportados en niños con heridas de este tipo requieren tratamiento quirúrgico, generalmente por compromiso de grandes vasos o hemopericardio. Desarrollo: se presenta el caso de un cadáver de género masculino, el cual presenta una herida por proyectil de arma neumática en la región mamaria izquierda. Las circunstancias en que se sucedieron los hechos se desconocen al momento del levantamiento delcadáver; ingresa al hospital sin signos vitales. Conclusiones: las armas neumáticas son armas potencialmente mortales. Las armas neumáticas y sus variaciones son encontradas especialmente en las manos de niños y adolescentes, quienes también constituyen la mayoría de las víctimas. Las lesiones fatales y no fatales ocasionadas por proyectiles de armas neumáticas o similares son un problema de salud pública mundial, dados los elevados costos de su atención, diagnóstico, tratamiento y tiempo de hospitalización. Urge sensibilizar a los tomadores de decisiones, la academia, los centros de investigación y las áreas de salud sobre los riesgos que ocasionan este tipo de juguetes.

The classification of the injuries inflicted to the human body by gunshots from the pneumatic weapons

The classification of the injuries inflicted to the human body by gunshots from the pneumatic weapons remains to be developed. The objective of the present work was to elaborate the classification of the injuries caused by gunshots from the pneumatic weapons based on the analysis of 98 expert and acts of forensic medical expertises (surveys) of living subjects (n=76) and corpses (n=22) affected by gunshots from the pneumatic weapons. These materials were collected from the bureaus of forensic medical expertise in different regions of the Ukraine during the period from 2006 till 2015. In addition, scientific publications concerned with the problem of interest were used along with the relevant explanatory and terminological dictionaries. The terminology and the conceptual framework proposed by the author in the earlier papers provided a basis for the development of the first standard classification of the injuries inflicted to the human body by gunshots from the pneumatic weapons categorized into 15 groups. It is believed that this classification will lay the foundation for the common approach of forensic medical experts to the examination and analysis of the data on the gunshots from the pneumatic weapons used to be found on the bodies of living subjects and the corpses. Moreover, it may be useful for the clinicians in their diagnostic and therapeutic practices and for the legal practitioners engaged in the quality assessment of the results of forensic medical expertises. It is recommended to present information about the gunshots from the pneumatic weapons in the accounting documents in a separate line.

FEATURES ADMINISTRATIVE VIOLATIONS IN THE WEAPONS CIRCULATION SPHERE

Any offense in the area of arms trafficking is the increased danger. On the one hand, the guilty person through weapons reinforces the illegality or even facilitates the commission of their illegal actions, on the other hand, these activities cause significant harm to individuals and society. Offences related to illicit trafficking in arms (activity without the necessary licenses and permits), for the most part involve criminal responsibility (Article 222 -..225 of the Criminal Code, etc.), but some violations in this area is not covered by criminlaw. In these cases, the violators shall apply administrative sanctions (for example, when sending weapons, the illicit manufacture of pneumatic weapons, etc.). Specificity of weapons is that it is endowed with certain peculiar features of quality, depending on which branch of law regulates its turnover. Currently, the legal regime of weapons is regulated by several branches of law (civil, administrative, military, criminal, etc.), Each of which considers it based on the specifics of its subject and method, and has its own legal framework, regulating the circulation of arms.

The forensic medical characteristics of the entrance bullet holes created by the shots from pneumatic rifles

The objective of the present study was to compare the injurious action of three types of the bullets for the pneumatic weapons shot from different distances using the Gamo pump air pistol and the BAM B22-1 pneumatic rifle. The following four kinds of the bullets were tested: "the fireball", "Luman cap 0.3", "Luman Field Target 0.68" and "DIABOLO". It was experimentally shown that the injurious action of the bullets fired from the same distance from the pneumatic weapons depends on the type of both the bullet and the weapon, as well as the properties of the target material. Specifically, the action of bullets fired from the piston pneumatic rifle remained stable whereas that of the bullets shot from the gas-balloon air pistol decreased as the gas was exhausted. The studies by the contact-diffusion method have demonstrated that the entrance bullet holes created by the shots from pneumatic weapons are surrounded by dispersed metal particles which makes it possible to estimate the shooting distance. Moreover, the bullets fired from the pneumatic weapons leave the muzzle face imprint on certain target materials.

Air gun injury with deadly aftermath – Case report

In Republic of Macedonia the use of air guns is quite widespread. They are used mainly for target practice. They are regulated by the Law of Arms, where they are defined as pneumatic weapons. There is no legal limit on type or quantity of ammunition that one may possess. Our Institute performs at least 90% of the forensic autopsies in Macedonia. In this report we describe the only fatality by pneumatic weapon to come to our attention over the past 10 years. A 6-year-old girl was accidentally wounded by her brother when he and his father were trying a new air gun, a 4.5mm single shot, break barrel, spring piston air rifle manufactured in China under the brand "Westlake". She died within minutes. Autopsy showed cardiac tamponade due to penetration of the aorta. A 0.5g metal projectile, 4.5mm in diameter, with a pointed, conical shape, was recovered from the pericardial sac.

The Air Gun: Toy or Weapon?

Originally used in warfare, air guns are commonly used in target shooting, as toys, and as "beginner" guns for children. The projectile force of these weapons can rival that of many conventional handguns. Pneumatic weapons pose a serious threat to the pediatric population, and their potential for serious injury must be recognized.