Gunshot Wounds: Practical Aspects of Firearms, Ballistics, and Forensic Techniques, Third Edition

This third edition of a bestseller provides critical updates to information on gunshot wounds and the weapons and ammunition used to inflict them. It also explains autopsy techniques and procedures and laboratory analyses relating to weapons and gunshot evidence.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 355 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Written by the nation's foremost authority on gunshot wounds and forensic techniques, as they relate to firearm injuries, this third edition of a bestseller provides critical updates to information on gunshot wounds and the weapons and ammunition used to inflict them. The book describes practical aspects of ballistics, wound ballistics, and the classification of various wounds caused by handguns, rifles, and shotguns. It also explains autopsy techniques and procedures and laboratory analyses relating to weapons and gunshot evidence. A much-needed update after nearly 20 years, the third edition of Gunshot Wounds provides the latest and most thorough information on firearms and best practices for examining firearm-related wounds.

Ballistics is the study of the motion of objects, including projectiles and firearms. It encompasses a wide range of topics, such as the trajectory of a projectile, the forces acting on it, and the impact it has on a target. Wound ballistics is a subfield of ballistics that focuses on the effects of a projectile on a living organism. It involves the study of the entrance and exit wounds created by a projectile, as well as the damage that is caused to surrounding tissue.

Classification of wounds is an important aspect of wound ballistics. Different types of wounds can be caused by different types of weapons, and each type has its own unique characteristics. For example, a bullet that enters the body at a shallow angle may cause a puncture wound, while a bullet that enters at a steep angle may cause a fragmentation wound.

Autopsy techniques and procedures are essential for examining firearm-related wounds. They involve the examination of the body after death to determine the cause and manner of death. Autopsy procedures can also provide valuable information about the injuries that were caused by a firearm, such as the type of weapon used, the angle of impact, and the extent of damage.

Laboratory analyses are also important for examining firearm-related wounds. They involve the analysis of blood, tissue, and other materials to determine the presence of firearms-related substances, such as gunpowder, lead, and other trace elements. Laboratory analyses can also provide information about the timing and sequence of events that occurred during a shooting.

In conclusion, ballistics, wound ballistics, and the classification of wounds are important aspects of firearm injuries. Autopsy techniques and procedures and laboratory analyses are essential for examining firearm-related wounds and providing valuable information to law enforcement and medical professionals. By understanding the principles of ballistics and wound ballistics, law enforcement and medical professionals can better identify and investigate firearm-related injuries, and develop effective strategies for preventing and treating these injuries.

Weight: 699g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367778422
Edition number: 3 New edition