Concepts - distance and shot distance.

shot distance- this is a qualitative characteristic, which is manifested by the presence or absence of products associated with a shot in the area of ​​​​the entrance gunshot wound or on clothing, as well as some morphological features of the entrance gunshot wound.

Shot distance- this is an absolute value, defined in units of measurement - centimeters, meters, kilometers, etc.

In forensic practice, the concept of shot distance is used.

There are the following shot distances:

• - distant distance;
• - close distance;
• - point blank: dense and loose (Fig. 7).

Rice. 7

The infliction of gunshot damage outside the range of products accompanying the shot, only by a bullet, indicates a shot from a long distance.

In case of causing damage within the reach of additional factors of the shot, but without contact between the muzzle and the target, one speaks of a close shot distance.

If at the time of the shot the muzzle of the barrel was in close or loose contact with the target surface (skin, clothing), they speak of point-blank range.

The mechanism of formation of a gunshot wound at different distances of the shot.

When fired from distant distances only the bullet has a damaging effect. It has a predominantly mechanical effect. Depending on the kinetic energy, when in contact with the surface of the skin, the bullet has either a penetrating, or a wedge-shaped or bruising effect. A bullet with high kinetic energy, when fired from a long distance, forms a typical entrance gunshot wound - small, round or oval in shape, in the center of its skin defect: “minus” tissue, uneven edges, with short, not extending beyond the belt of deposition, radial breaks in the superficial layers of the skin. The outer diameter of the belt of precipitation (Fig. 8) is approximately equal to the caliber of the firearm (bullet diameter). The surface of the belt of precipitation is contaminated with the metal of the surface of the bullet, hence the other names - the belt of contamination, the belt of metallization, the belt of rubbing.

Rice. eight

After initial contact with the skin, after 0.0005 s, a penetrating projectile transfers a significant amount of energy to the soft tissues. At the point where the projectile passes from a less dense medium (air) to a more dense one (soft tissues), a temporary pulsating cavity is formed, which reaches its largest size after 0.005 s, then gradually pulsates with decreasing amplitude, and decreases by 0.08 second. The pulsating cavity begins to form during the passage of the bullet. Temporary pulsating cavity- this is a wave-like process in the soft tissues around the wound channel, which occurs at the moment of energy transfer to them by a firearm during the formation of damage. It is expressed by a sharp increase, and then a sharp decrease in pressure in the tissues and has the following properties:

• - significantly exceeds the diameter of the bullet,
• - accompanied by a wave-like process of pressure change in the zone of this "cavity",
• - accompanied by the formation of vacuum cavities in the tissues - the phenomenon of cavitation;
• - forms a significant area of ​​soft tissue microdamage around the wound channel.

The time of existence of a pulsating cavity can exceed the time of passage of a bullet through the entire wound channel by tens of times. The dimensions of the cavity, the duration and number of pulsations, the amount of pressure on the surrounding tissues depend on the amount of energy absorbed by the tissues. Firearms with a speed of 400 m / s lead to two pulsating movements of the temporary cavity with a duration of 0.02 s, at 730 m / s - to five pulsations with a duration of 0.2 s, and at 990 m / s - to eight movements duration 0.25 s.

In case of bullet wounds from far and in the 3rd zone of close range (outside the zone of action of soot), caused through clothing, on the skin or on the second layer of clothing, a gray soot deposit may form (Fig. 9), similar to soot from a close shot (phenomenon Vinogradov). It occurs when there is a free gap of 1-5 cm between a thin layer of clothing and the body or between two layers of clothing, and there is a sufficient amount of soot on the surface of the bullet. In this case, the bullet leaves a significant part of the soot and other contaminants at the edges of the hole in the first layer of clothing, mainly in the form of a wiping belt. Due to the rarefaction of air behind the bullet and the sharp oscillatory movements of the edges of this hole, particles of soot and other contaminants break off from the edges of the hole, rush after the bullet and settle around the inlet on the second layer of fabric or on the skin. Small scraps of thread fibers from the edges of the first hole are attached to these particles. The method of color prints in these deposits reveals traces of metal, similar to the metal of the wiping belt.

Rice. 9 Sign of Vinogradov: a) rubdown belt on the first layer of clothing; b) deposition of soot on the second layer of the barrier (shooting distance 10 m)

These deposits differ from the soot of a close shot by a paler shade, small size (its diameter is 1.5–3.5 cm), a jagged or radiant peripheral border, and sometimes the presence of a narrow light gap along the edges of the hole. Their main difference is the absence of traces of a close shot on the first layer of clothing.

When fired from close range acting: bullet and additional factors of the shot. Additional shot factors within close range have a different effect depending on the distance between the muzzle of the weapon and the target. When fired at close range, they distinguish three zones(Fig. 10), which differ in the action of various products accompanying the shot and infliction of various amounts of damage in the area of ​​the entrance gunshot wound:

I -- zone predominant mechanical action of powder gases;

II -- zone pronounced action of shot soot, powders and metal particles;

III -- zone deposits of powders and metal particles.

Schematic representation of close shot zones

AT I zone close shot, the entrance gunshot wound is formed due to the explosive and concussive action of powder gases, the penetrating action of the firearm. The action of powder gases is often limited by a skin rupture that does not extend into the depth of the wound channel through which the firearm passes. If ruptures are not formed, then the wound is formed by the action of the projectile. The skin around the wound is surrounded by a wide annular abrasion due to the concussive effect of gases - the ring of "air precipitation". Around the wound there is an intense deposition of dark gray, almost black soot and powders. The area of ​​deposition of soot and powders increases as the distance from the muzzle of the weapon to the target at the time of the shot increases. According to the area of ​​soot deposition, the thermal effect of powder gases can manifest itself in the form of scorching of fluffy hair or clothing fibers. Around the entrance wound, when using ultraviolet rays, multiple small luminescent drops (spots) can be detected - splashes of gun grease. The length of zone I depends on the power of the type of weapon used, for example: for a Makarov pistol, this zone is about 1 cm, Kalashnikov assault rifle caliber 7.62 mm - up to 3 cm, for a rifle -- about 5 cm.

In II zone a close shot wound is formed only by a bullet. Soot, powders, metal particles, spray drops of gun grease are deposited around the entrance wound. As the distance from the muzzle of the weapon barrel to the object being struck increases, the area of ​​deposition of additional factors of the shot increases, and the intensity of the soot color decreases. For many samples of modern firearms, the II close-range zone extends up to 25-35 cm. Soot and powders also fly in the direction opposite to the direction of the shot, settling on the shooter, the people around him and objects within a radius of 30-50, and sometimes 100 cm. Taking into account the fact that the nature of deposits of soot, powders and metal particles depends on many factors, in order to determine the distance of a shot in each case, experimental shooting is carried out in a ballistic laboratory in compliance with the conditions of the incident and its results are compared with the nature of the damage under study.

AT III zone a close shot wound is formed only by a bullet. Powders and metal particles are deposited around it. When fired from a Makarov pistol, these particles can be detected on the target at a great distance - up to 150 cm from the muzzle, Kalashnikov assault rifle - up to 200 cm, rifles - up to 250 cm. On a horizontal surface, particles are found at distances up to 6-8 m. As the distance increases, the number of powders and metal particles reaching the striking object becomes less and less. At the limiting (max) distances, as a rule, single particles are detected.

When fired point blank at a right angle to the surface of the damaged part of the body (Fig. 11), the pre-bullet air and part of the powder gases emitted in front of the bullet from the bore, acting compactly, pierce the skin and, expanding in all directions in the initial part of the wound channel, begin to destroy the subcutaneous fat. The main volume of powder gases after passing the bullet continues to destroy fatty tissue, exfoliates the skin and hits it with force on the muzzle end of the weapon, forming a “stamp-imprint” (stamp mark) of the muzzle.

Rice. eleven

Sometimes the strength limits of the skin are exhausted and its gaps are formed in the radial directions. Together with powder gases, shot soot, powders and metal particles rush into the wound channel. Penetrating into the wound channel, powder gases interact with blood-rich tissues and form carboxyhemoglobin, carboxymyoglobin, methemoglobin and other compounds in them. If powder gases with high pressure reach cavities and hollow organs, then, expanding sharply, they can cause extensive ruptures in the tissue of internal organs.

The described mechanism is the basis for understanding the essence of the following morphological features of a point-blank shot:

• - a large defect in the skin, as a result of the penetrating action of powder gases;
• - detachment of the skin along the edges of the entrance gunshot wound, ruptures of the edges of the skin as a result of the penetration of powder gases under the skin and their explosive action;
• - abrasion or bruising in the form of a stamp-imprint of the muzzle end of the weapon due to impact and pushing on the muzzle of the barrel of the skin, exfoliated by penetrating under the skin and expanding powder gases,
• - extensive ruptures of internal organs - a consequence of the explosive action of powder gases that have penetrated into cavities or hollow organs;
• - skin ruptures in the area of ​​the exit wound in case of damage to thin parts of the body (fingers, hand, forearm, shin, foot) as a result of the explosive action of powder gases;
• - the presence of soot only in the cavity of the wound channel due to a tight stop, making it impossible for them to penetrate into the environment;
• - bright red color of the muscles in the area of ​​the entrance wound due to the chemical action of powder gases.

Due to the design features of the muzzle end of the barrel of some types of weapons (windows-holes for the removal of powder gases, an obliquely cut muzzle end, etc.), individual signs of a point-blank shot may be absent.

When fired at stop at a certain angle (loose stop) to the surface of the damaged part of the body, the bulk of the powder gases, soot, powder penetrates into the wound channel, some of these additional factors of the shot have a damaging effect on the skin surface near the wound. This leads to the formation of unilateral skin ruptures and an asymmetric deposition of soot and powders near the edges of the entrance gunshot wound.

In a number of cases, the eccentric, butterfly-shaped, three- or six-petal arrangement of soot near the edges of the gunshot wound (Fig. 12) is determined by the design of the muzzle of some weapons (the presence of a muzzle brake, a flame arrester, etc.).

Rice. 12

b - Entrance gunshot wound when fired at "point-blank range" from 7.62-mm AKM - "eccentric" soot deposition.

c - Inlet gunshot hole on clothing when fired at point-blank range from a 5.56-mm M-16 rifle - "six-petal" soot deposits

Morphological features of typical entry bullet gunshot wounds formed at different shot distances weapons without muzzle brakes, flame arresters and other devices.

All entry gunshot wounds inflicted by a bullet with high kinetic energy at different firing distances have similar morphological features: the shape of the wound is round or oval, the “minus tissue” defect, and the circular band of deposition. However, depending on different shot distances, different shot factors can act on the target, which determine the presence or absence of additional damage.

At long range shot, the entrance gunshot wound (Fig. 13) has the following differential morphological features:

• - defect "minus fabric",
• - the absence of factors of a close shot (soot, powders, metal particles) on the skin around the wound.

Rice. 13

When fired corresponding 3rd close range zone

• - the shape of the wound is round or oval less than the diameter of the bullet,
• - defect "minus fabric",
• - circular belt of sedimentation and wiping (contamination) of the edge,
• - the presence of factors of a close shot around the wound at considerable distances, in the form of single unburned powders that have penetrated the skin, visible to the eye, as well as metal particles in the skin, detected by X-ray.

When fired corresponding 2nd close range zone, the entrance gunshot wound has the following differential morphological features:

• - the shape of the wound is round or oval less than the diameter of the bullet,
• - defect "minus fabric",
• - circular belt of sedimentation and wiping (contamination) of the edge,
• - the presence of close shot factors on the skin around the wound in the form of gray-black soot of varying intensity, the introduction of single unburned powders visible to the eye, as well as metal particles in the skin, detected by x-ray.

When fired corresponding 1st close range zone, due to the mechanical action of powder gases, the entrance gunshot wounds have a significant variability in shape and have the following differential morphological features (weapons without muzzle brake devices, flame arresters, etc.):

• - the shape of the wound is linear or stellate with a round or oval “minus tissue” defect in its central part when the edges are brought together, without skin detachment,
• - the size of the defect "minus the fabric" is less than the diameter of the bullet,
• - a circular belt of air precipitation on the skin around the wound,
• - a circular belt of shedding and rubbing (contamination) of the edge around the “minus tissue” defect,
• - the presence of close shot factors on the skin around the wound in the form of gray-black soot, the introduction of single unburned powders visible to the eye, as well as metal particles in the skin, detected by x-ray.

Shot point blank is determined by the following morphological features of the entrance gunshot wound (weapons without muzzle brake devices, flame arresters, etc.):

• - the shape of the wound is round, corresponds to or exceeds the diameter of the bullet, with radial linear breaks in the edges (subject to the underlying bone, for example, on the head), with an average length of 0.5-1 cm to 3.5-5 cm, depending on the type of weapon.
• - stamp-imprint (stamp mark) of the muzzle of the barrel of a firearm,
• - the edges of the wound are uneven, crushed,
• - the presence of factors of a close shot in the cavity of the wound channel in the form of an overlay of grey-black soot with the presence of unburned powders and metal particles.

Shot in position loose stop gives the following morphological features of the entrance gunshot wound (weapons without muzzle-braking devices, flame arresters, etc.):

• - the shape of the wound is irregularly rounded or oval, corresponds to or exceeds the diameter of the bullet (in terms of the minimum diameter), with radial linear ruptures of the edges located asymmetrically.
• - destruction of subcutaneous fat with skin detachment,
• - a fragment of a stamp-imprint (stamp mark) of the muzzle of the barrel of a firearm,
• - defect "minus tissue" in the center of the wound when the edges are brought together,
• - circular belt of sedimentation of the edge,
• - the presence of asymmetrically located factors of a close shot around the gunshot wound in the form of an overlay of grey-black soot with the presence of unburned powders and metal particles.
• - the presence of factors of a close shot in the cavity of the wound channel in the form of an overlay of grey-black soot, unburned powders and metal particles.
• - bright red staining of muscles and soft tissues in the initial section of the wound channel due to the chemical action of powder gases.

Bullet with low kinetic energy at long range shot, forms an entrance gunshot wound, similar to a wound from the action of a stabbing object, and has the following differential morphological features:

• - the shape of the wound is slit-like or star-shaped, larger than the diameter of the bullet,
• - no “minus fabric” defect,
• - slight edging of the edges,
• - absence of factors of a close shot (soot, powders, metal particles) on the skin around the wound,
• - blind, short wound channel.

Characteristics of exit gunshot wounds.

Exit gunshot wounds are formed at the moment of exit of the firearm from the tissues (Fig. 14), they are more variable in shape, size, and have the following morphological features:

• - the shape of the wound is linear (slit-like) or stellate,
• - the absence of a belt of sedimentation,
• - no “minus fabric” defect.

Rice. fourteen Exit gunshot wound: a) before matching the edges, b) after matching the edges

The belt of sedimentation at the exit wound occurs under special conditions - when the body area in the area of ​​the exit wound is pressed against a dense barrier at the time of the lesion. This leads to the impact of the edges of the exit wound on the surface of the barrier and the formation of abrasions. For the formation of sedimentation of the edges of the exit wound, it is enough to have such an obstacle as a waist belt. Differential diagnosis of input and output gunshot wounds is based on a comparative assessment of the entire set of differential morphological features.

Morphological signs of entry and exit bullet wounds on the skin when shot from a short distance are reflected in table No. 5:

Table 5

	Inlet	Outlet
hole shape	Round or oval Occasionally lunate.	Star-shaped, slit-like, arcuate, without tissue defect.
the presence of a “minus fabric” defect
	The diameter of the defect in the skin is always less than the diameter of the bullet.	The length of the wound is greater than the diameter of the bullet
	The edges of the defect in the skin are uneven, finely scalloped	Usually uneven (often turned outwards)
Belt of deposition on the skin	Well defined, width 1-3 mm, outer diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the bullet	Missing. Under special conditions, it is expressed due to the impact of the edges of the wound on clothing or other obstacles.
Wiping belt (pollution)		Missing.
Edge plating	There is a corresponding rubdown belt.	Missing. Sometimes present when wounded by a lead bullet or shot.

Depending on the distance between the muzzle of the weapon and the object being struck, a point-blank shot is distinguished (the muzzle of the weapon at the time of the shot is in contact with the surface of the clothing or the damaged part of the body) and three conditional zones (the muzzle at the time of the shot is at some distance from the object being struck).

When fired point-blank at a right angle to the surface of the damaged part of the body, the main mass of powder gases emitted from the bore, acting compactly, pierces the skin and, expanding in all directions in the initial part of the wound channel, exfoliates and sharply seals it to the muzzle end of the weapon. When the strength of the skin is exhausted, it breaks. Together with powder gases, shot soot, powders and metal particles rush into the wound channel. Penetrating into the wound channel, powder gases interact with blood-rich tissues and form carboxyhemoglobin and carboxymyoglobin. If the powder gases reach the cavities and hollow organs, then with a sharp expansion they can cause extensive ruptures of the walls of the internal organs.

Thus, the following morphological features testify to a point-blank shot:

• - a large skin defect exceeding the caliber of a firearm, as a result of the penetrating action of powder gases;
• - detachment of the skin along the edges of the entrance gunshot wound and ruptures of the edges of the skin from the penetration of powder gases under the skin and their explosive action;
• - abrasion or bruising in the form of a stamp-imprint of the muzzle end of the weapon due to the impact of the skin on the muzzle of the barrel at the time of its detachment under the action of expanded powder gases that have penetrated the skin;
• - extensive ruptures of internal organs as a result of the explosive action of powder gases trapped in cavities or hollow organs;
• - skin ruptures in the area of ​​the exit wound in case of damage to thin parts of the body (fingers, hands, forearms, lower legs, feet) as a result of the explosive action of powder gases;
• - the presence of soot only along the edges of the entrance wound and in the depth of the wound channel due to the tight stop of the weapon in the target;
• - bright pink coloration of the muscles in the area of ​​the entrance wound due to the chemical action of powder gases.

Due to the design features of the muzzle end of the barrel of some types of weapons (windows-holes for the removal of powder gases, oblique muzzle end, etc.), there may be no individual signs of a point-blank shot.

When fired point-blank at a certain angle to the surface of the damaged part of the body, the bulk of the powder gases, soot, powder still penetrates into the wound channel. Some of these additional factors of the shot damage the skin surface near the wound, which leads to the formation of unilateral skin tears and eccentric deposition of soot and powders in the immediate vicinity of the edges of the entrance gunshot wound.

In some cases, the eccentric, butterfly-shaped, three- or six-petal arrangement of soot near the edges of the gunshot wound is determined by the design of the muzzle end of some weapons (the presence of a muzzle brake, flame arrester, etc.).

When fired at close range, they distinguish three conditional zones.

AT first zone close shot, the entrance gunshot wound is formed due to the explosive, concussive action of powder gases and the penetrating action of the bullet. The edges of the wound may be torn. If they are not present, then the wound is surrounded by a wide annular sedimentation. 32

The action of powder gases is limited to skin damage and does not extend into the depth of the wound channel. Around the wound, intense dark gray, almost black soot and powders are observed. The area occupied by them expands as the distance from the muzzle of the weapon to the target at the time of the shot increases. In addition, there is a fall of vellus hair or clothing fibers due to the thermal action of powder gases. Around the entrance wound, when using ultraviolet radiation, splashes of gun grease (multiple luminescent small spots) are often found. The length of the first zone depends on the power of the weapon used. So, for a Makarov pistol, a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle and a rifle, it is about 1, 3 and 5 cm, respectively.

In second zone a close shot wound is formed only by a bullet. Soot, powders, metal particles, splashes of gun grease, etc. are deposited around the entrance wound. With an increase in the distance from the muzzle of the weapon barrel to the target, the area of ​​their deposition expands, and the intensity of the soot color decreases. For many samples of modern firearms, the second zone extends up to 25-35 cm. Taking into account that the nature of deposits of soot, powders and metal particles depends on many factors, in order to determine the distance of a shot in each case, experimental shooting is carried out in compliance with the conditions of the incident. and compare its results with the nature of the damage under study.

AT third zone a close shot wound is formed only by a bullet. Powders and metal particles are deposited around it. When fired from a Makarov pistol, these particles can be detected on the target at a great distance - up to 150 cm from the muzzle, from a Kalashnikov assault rifle - up to 200 cm, rifles - up to 250 cm. As the distance increases, the number of powders and metal particles reaching the target, getting smaller and smaller. At extreme distances, as a rule, single particles are detected, up to 4–6 m on a horizontal surface - powder and metal particles flying to the sides and back up to 1–2 m, settling on the arrow, surrounding people and objects.

It must be borne in mind that when shots from 10, 25, 50 m or more into a dense barrier (for example, into the chest of a person wearing protective body armor), metal particles may be deposited on the first layer of clothing around the entrance gunshot wound. They are formed during the interaction of a bullet with a target, they have ultramicroscopic dimensions and very fragile contact with the surface. As a result, a false picture of a shot at close range is created, so the nature of the obstacle (or clothing, or another target) must be taken into account when studying. At present, objective methods have been developed to distinguish such particles from those that are deposited on the target at a close shot distance.

There are through, blind and tangential bullet wounds. A through bullet wound is called a wound that has an input and output gunshot wounds connected by a wound channel. Penetrating wounds arise from the action of a bullet with high kinetic energy, when wounding thin parts of the body or only soft tissues.

A typical entry gunshot wound is small and round. In the center, her skin is missing (these are the so-called minus tissues). The defect is in the form of a cone with its apex inward, the edges are uneven with short radial breaks in the surface layers of the skin. The skin along the edge of the defect is aggravated in the form of a thin ring or oval (ablation belt), the outer diameter of which is approximately equal to the caliber of the firearm. The surface of the belt of deposition is contaminated with the metal of the bullet surface. Hence its other names: pollution belt, metallization belt, rubdown belt.

Exit gunshot wounds are more variable in shape, size and nature of the edges. They usually do not have belts of sedimentation and metallization. The defect in the area of ​​the exit wound is either absent or has the shape of a cone with its apex outward. A skin defect occurs if, having passed through a thin part of the body or only soft tissues, the bullet retained a significant part of the kinetic energy and the ability to exert a penetrating effect. A belt of irritation at the exit wound appears if, at the time of the lesion, the surface of the body area in the area of ​​the exit wound was pressed against a dense barrier, such as, for example, a waist belt.

Differential diagnosis of entry and exit wounds is facilitated by the nature of gunshot bone fractures along the wound channel. The main distinguishing feature of the entrance gunshot injury on the flat bones of the skull is a cleavage of the inner bone plate, forming a funnel-shaped defect, opened in the direction of the bullet's flight. Output gunshot injury is characterized by a chipping of the outer bone plate.

Gunshot fractures of long tubular bones usually represent an extended area of ​​small and large comminuted fractures. If the fragments are given their original position, then from the side of the bullet entry, a round defect with radially extending cracks will be visible, which form large fragments resembling butterfly wings on the lateral surfaces of the bone. On the exit side of the bullet, a large bone defect is found; multiple cracks extend from its edges, mainly along the length of the bone. An indirect sign indicating the localization of the entrance and exit gunshot wounds is a path of bone fragments that runs from the bone in the direction of the exit wound and is clearly visible on radiographs.

The wound channel can be straight, and with an internal rebound from bone or other relatively dense tissues, it can be in the form of a curved or broken line, sometimes stepped due to displacement of organs (for example, intestinal loops).

Blind is called such a bullet wound, in which the firearm remained in the body. Blind wounds, as a rule, are caused by bullets with low kinetic energy due to its low initial speed, unstable flight, design features that lead to its rapid destruction in the tissues, a large distance to the target, preliminary interaction of the bullet with an obstacle, damage to the body of a large array of dense and soft tissues, internal rebound (for example, in the cranial cavity).

The firearm, the localization of which is determined by X-ray, is carefully removed from the wound channel and sent for forensic examination to identify the specific weapon from which the shot was fired.

Tangential bullet wounds occur if the bullet does not penetrate the body and forms an open wound channel in the form of an elongated wound or abrasion.

In forensic medicine, there are point-blank shot, close range shot and shot from close range.

Close range has three zones and is characterized by additional factors (besides the main feature left by the projectile). These include:

1. The action of powder gases and bullet air in the bore. The powder gases formed during the combustion of gunpowder give the bullet forward motion and themselves fly out after it at high speed.

Encountering air resistance, they lose their strength. However, up to 5 cm, gases have a mechanical effect, which leads to cruciform, T-shaped or slit-like tears in the textile fabric of clothing, to X-shaped skin tears with peeling off at the edges. These breaks can cause severe injury. This is why a blank shot can be life-threatening from a distance of up to 5 cm. The indicated distance is the first zone. Further, the gases act only chemically - when they are burned, a large amount of carbon monoxide is formed, which forms carboxyhemoglobin with the protruding blood. The blood and walls of the wound channel acquire a bright red color, noticeable for some time. If necessary, the muscles of the wound channel are taken for chemical or spectral examination. The thermal effect of gases is due to the fact that their temperature can reach several hundred degrees, but, acting for a short time, they cause only a first-degree burn, scorching of the clothing fibers near the hole. The chemical and thermal effects of gases can manifest themselves at a distance of up to 10 cm. Sometimes, especially when using black powder, a flame acts up to 5 cm, which scorches hair, fibers of textile fabrics, and leads to skin burns.

2. The second zone of a close shot. Further, the effect of gases does not manifest itself at all, however, soot flies, which spreads to a distance of up to 35 cm, although soot can be at a much greater distance from black powder. This is the main feature of the second zone, in which powder grains and metal particles are also noted. Soot is a black or grayish-black coating, consisting of particles of coal salts, burnt gunpowder and metal. If it is not visible to the naked eye, soot is detected using infrared rays, either when viewed with an image intensifier tube or when photographing the area with damage. After placing the skin flap in cold water, dissolving the blood and drying, soot is detected with stereomicroscopy, as well as with histological examination. After examining and photographing clothes, the method of color prints is used.

Rice. 12.3. Soot deposition on a shirt when fired from a distance of 1 cm from an AK-74 assault rifle (butterfly shape) (a) and the muzzle compensator of this machine (b)

The form of soot deposition around the inlet is also of forensic medical significance. When fired at a right angle to the target, the shape of the soot deposit is round, when fired at an acute angle, it is elliptical. Sometimes the form of the deposition makes it possible to solve the problem of weapons. The most characteristic form of soot distribution near the hole when fired from a Kalashnikov assault rifle is in the form of a narrow ring around the hole and two additional sections (“butterfly wings”) on both sides (Fig. 12.3, a), which is explained by the structure of the muzzle compensator, into the windows of which soot flies out (Fig. 12.3, in).

In some cases, when fired from a short distance, through several layers of clothing (with an air gap of 0.5-3 cm between the layers), a dark gray coating may be deposited on its second layer or on the skin, which is mistaken for the deposition of soot. Powder soot in the form of a radiant whisk partially remains on the first layer and resembles a wiping rim, but due to the turbulent movement of air behind the bullet, it breaks off and is deposited, resembling soot. This is a Vinogradov phenomenon, it is important because it can lead to an error in determining the distance of the shot. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that there is no soot on the outer layer, that “false sooting” of varying intensity, that sometimes it is located at some distance from the edges of the hole, that along with it, fibers of the outer layer of clothing fabric are detected during stereomicroscopy. The soot deposition radius does not exceed 1.5 cm, there are no gunpowder grains.

3. The third zone of a close shot. Grains of unburnt powder are usually found at a distance of 1-2 m, cause damage to clothes in the form of pinholes or leave small abrasions on the skin, sometimes getting stuck at the bottom (Fig. 12.4).

Rice. 12.4.

In some cases, especially when using smoky, damp gunpowder, there are many such grains and then they fly even further - up to 4 m. It is important to prove the effect of gunpowder when there are single injuries near the entrance wound. Particles extracted from skin (or clothing) should be checked to prove the effect of gunpowder, because it is not enough to do this by sight. Chemical tests are used, for example, with diphenylamine, which, when instilled, produces a blue color. But the use of physical tests is effective. For example, when using the Vladimirsky sample, particles of gunpowder are placed on glass, heated over an alcohol lamp, and flashes in this place under a microscope mark a cellular overlay. In the Eidlin test, the particle placed on the glass is poured with glycerin, brought to a boil. Examining the figures obtained after the dissolution of the particles under a microscope, they determine smoky or smokeless powder, and sometimes its grade.

To determine the distance from which the shot was fired, the degree of dispersion of gunpowder around the wound is also important, which can be compared with the experimentally obtained damage when fired with the same weapon and ammunition. Another sign of a close shot is gun grease splashes, which can be detected using ultraviolet rays and appear as dotted bluish glows. They occur in cases of barrel lubrication before a shot, when the distance does not exceed 50 cm.

The given distances are average for different types of weapons; if the brand of the weapon is known, then the distance is specified taking into account its features; if there is a specific copy of the weapon and a series of used cartridges, then it is advisable to carry out an investigative experiment in the conditions closest to the circumstances of the case to resolve the issue of the distance of the shot.

A point-blank shot can also be considered as a shot in the first close-range zone. This is a shot when the cut of the weapon at the time of the shot rests on the skin or clothing of a person. A distinction is made between tight (pressurized) and loose (non-pressurized) emphasis, when the weapon is placed at an angle and touches the target with only part of the muzzle.

Depending on the degree of pressure of the weapon, its power, the quantity and quality of gunpowder in the cartridge, gases can have a bursting effect, forming a rounded, X-shaped or star-shaped shape larger than the diameter of the bullet. The same form of tears are formed on clothing. They exfoliate the skin from the underlying tissues, pressing down to the muzzle. This explains the formation of a muzzle imprint (stamp-imprint or “stamp mark”). Such an abrasion, with a tight stop, repeats the shape, dimensions, details of the muzzle (Fig. 12.5), and with a loose

Rice. 12.5. Scheme of the formation of an imprint of the muzzle of a weapon when fired at close range (from the atlas of A. A. Solokhin et al.) nom - that part of it that was in contact with the skin. This is an absolute sign of a point-blank shot. With a tight stop, all factors of the shot will be inside the wound channel - gases with mechanical, thermal and chemical effects, soot deposits, gunpowder grains, lubricant. If the pressure was strong, then a narrow border of sooting can pass along the edge of the wound. With a loose stop, the factors of a close shot are on the surface of the skin on the opposite side of the muzzle imprint. When examining a corpse at the scene of the incident and finding a weapon next to it, one should pay attention to splashes of blood inside the barrel, they also indicate a point-blank shot.

If used blank cartridge, i.e. without a charge, then the shot is called a blank. A strong damaging factor (up to 5 cm) can be powder gases, as well as wad. Depending on the material (felt, cardboard, paper, cotton wool), it can pierce the skin at different distances, but mostly at close range. With a blank shot, a blind wound from such wads can occur, sometimes, depending on its density and distance, such a wound can be life-threatening. But the most dangerous blank shot is in the first zone of a close shot, when the mechanical action of gases leads to rupture of soft tissues, and sometimes in a confined space to comminuted bone fractures.

Damaging factors and traces of a close shot.

When fired at close range, in addition to the firearm, powder gases, as well as other products ejected from the bore of the weapon, have a damaging effect. All of these products are called close shot factors. They are sometimes called by-products of a shot or additional factors of a shot.

Most often, these factors act together with a firearm. However, they can also cause damage without a projectile. This can occur when firing a blank cartridge and when the projectile flies past the body, and powder gases with solid particles suspended in them hit the body or clothing.

Close shot factors have mechanical, thermal and chemical effects. The damage they cause is usually associated with specific deposits. Such deposits are formed by soot, metal particles, powder grains and grease.

The damage and deposits caused by these factors are called close shot marks. These include: 1) the mechanical action of powder gases and air from the bore - a penetrating effect, tears in clothing and skin, tears and delamination of tissues in the wound channel, an imprint of the muzzle end of the weapon, sedimentation and subsequent parchmentation of the skin, radial smoothing of the pile of clothing fabrics; 2) thermal action of gases, soot and powder grains - scorching of the pile of clothing fabrics and body hair, burning of clothing fabrics, burns; 3) the chemical action of gases - the formation of carboxyhemoglobin and carboxymyoglobin; 4) deposition and penetration of soot into clothing fabrics, skin, walls of the wound channel; 5) deposition and penetration of particles of powder grains and large metal particles into clothing fabrics, skin, walls of the wound channel; traces of the impact of these particles in the form of small abrasions on the skin and holes in the fabrics of clothing; 6) deposition of splashes of gun grease on clothing or skin.

The listed traces are very important for proving the gunshot origin of the damage, for establishing the entrance hole, the distance of the shot, the type of weapon and the ammunition used.

The appearance of traces of a close shot and the degree of their severity depend on very many conditions. The greatest influence is exerted by the quantity and quality of gunpowder, the design of the weapon and the distance of the shot. The more gunpowder in the cartridge, the more it gives gases, the higher their pressure and speed of expiration, therefore, the more pronounced all types of gas effects will be.

Damp gunpowder does not burn well, and many of its grains are thrown out of the barrel. Black (smoky) gunpowder gives a large amount of red-hot solid residues, its grains continue to burn when flying in the air and when it hits the body or clothing. Therefore, the thermal effect of black powder compared to smokeless powder is much stronger. Burning of clothes and burns of the body gives mainly black powder.

Compensators and flame arresters of automatic weapons have a great influence. The mechanical effect of gases when fired from such weapons is less pronounced. If the compensator or flame arrester has windows, then part of the gases escapes from them along with soot. Therefore, when shooting at close range and from a distance of a few centimeters, in addition to the central soot deposits, additional areas of sooting are formed according to the location of these windows. The compensator of a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle has a cut of the upper wall of the front end instead of windows, so gases, together with soot, are deflected towards the cut.

If the bore is covered with rust and shells, then when fired, a lot of metal particles are thrown out of it, torn off from the surface of the bullet and from the walls of the bore.

Different close shot factors come into play at different distances. Powder gases can tear the skin if the muzzle is in contact with the body or is only a few centimeters away from it. Soot from shots from military weapons is usually deposited at distances up to 20–35 cm. Unburned powder grains and metal particles can be deposited at distances up to 100–200 cm. The maximum distance at which powder grains and large metal particles fly is the boundary between close and distant shot.

Close range areas. The distance of a close shot is conditionally divided into 3 main zones: 1) a zone of pronounced mechanical action of powder gases; 2) a zone of soot deposits along with metal particles and powder grains; 3) a zone of deposits of powder grains and metal particles. Within the first zone, all the factors of a close shot act on clothing and the body, but the effect of powder gases is most pronounced. The gases can pierce and rupture clothing, skin, and deeper body tissues. In addition to breaks, deposits of soot, metal particles and powder grains are formed, and the thermal and chemical effects of the components of a close shot are also manifested. The first zone has a very short extent. For different types of weapons, it ranges from 0 to 1-5 cm, sometimes up to 10 cm. The length of this zone depends not only on the power of the weapon and cartridge, but also on the nature of the object being struck, on its ability to withstand the destructive action of gases. Point-blank shot. From the first zone, a point-blank shot (contact shot) stands out as a special distance. This is such a shot when the muzzle end of the weapon (barrel or compensator) is in direct contact with clothing or skin. In this case, the muzzle end can be pressed against the body very strongly or, conversely, only lightly touch it, being directed perpendicularly or at a different angle. With different types of contact, the nature of the damage is not the same. When fired at close range, the destructive effect of gases manifests itself both in the region of the inlet and in the depth of the wound channel, sometimes up to the outlet. The stronger the weapon is pressed to the body, the deeper this action manifests itself. If the shot is fired from a powerful military weapon, then it is the gases, and not the bullet, that can cause the main destruction in the body. The inlet on the skin when fired at point-blank range has a star-shaped shape, less often - spindle-shaped, angular or irregularly rounded. The stellate shape is obtained due to the occurrence of several radial discontinuities. If 4 gaps are formed, then the hole acquires a cruciform or X-shaped shape. Such holes are more often observed on the head and hands, where the bones are located close under the skin. A rounded inlet is obtained due to the penetrating action of gases, while the defect turns out to be of a larger diameter than the caliber of the weapon. Such holes are found on the chest, abdomen, thigh. The skin along the edges of the hole is detached from the underlying tissues. The edges of the holes or the tops of the flaps are usually smoked. If the shot is fired with the weapon tightly pressed, then the sooting looks like a narrow ring of dark gray or gray color. Occasionally, sooting almost exactly reproduces the shape of the muzzle of the weapon. With a loose stop, an intense deposition of soot with a diameter of up to 4–6 cm is formed. When fired at an angle, the soot area is larger on the side where the end of the barrel did not come into contact with the body. If a shot is fired through clothing, then its tissues are either pierced by gases or torn. From the penetrating action, an irregularly rounded hole with strongly flared edges is obtained. From the breaking action, woven fabrics are torn along the warp and weft threads, while the hole is cruciform, T-shaped or L-shaped, sometimes linear. With a loose stop, the gaps are longer than with a tight stop. When fired through multi-layer clothing, soot deposits can form on all layers of clothing, as well as on the skin. The size of deposits often increases from the surface layer of tissue to deeper ones.

When fired at point-blank range, an imprint of the muzzle end of the weapon (stamp mark) may form on clothing or skin near the inlet. For pistols, the front surface of the shutter casing or the muzzle of the barrel is imprinted, for rifles and carbines - the gunner and the head of the ramrod, for double-barreled hunting rifles - the muzzle of the second barrel, etc. On the skin, these prints look like abrasions, bruises or additional wounds , often in combination with characteristic sooty. On clothes, this can be an indentation and smoothing of the pile in a clearly defined area, combined with sooting or contamination. The formation of an imprint of the muzzle end of the weapon is mainly due to the action of powder gases. Gases, penetrating under clothing or skin, expand there and forcefully press clothing or skin to the end of the weapon.

The imprint of the muzzle end of the weapon is an unconditional sign of a point-blank shot. According to it, in a number of cases, it is possible to establish the type of weapon used and the position in which it was attached to the body.

The walls of the wound channel from a point-blank shot are always smoked, and particles of powder grains are embedded in them. There is especially a lot of soot and powder in the initial part of the channel. Sometimes soot, powders and metal particles pass through the entire wound channel and are deposited on the inner, i.e. facing the body, surface of clothing near the outlet. Powder gases contain a large amount of carbon monoxide. The latter easily enters into combination with hemoglobin and myoglobin, forming carboxyhemoglobin and carboxymyoglobin. Therefore, hemorrhages in the walls of the channel have a brighter red color, and the tissues, especially muscles, around the channel acquire a pinkish tint.

The second close shot zone for most types of weapons starts from 1-5 cm and ends at a distance of 20-35 cm from the muzzle.

In this zone, the action of the projectile is combined with the deposition of soot, metal particles and powder grains. The mechanical effect of gases here is insignificant, from their impact intradermal and subcutaneous hemorrhages, damage to the epidermis can occur. On fleecy fabrics of clothing, from the spreading of gases to the sides, the pile around the inlet takes on a fan-shaped arrangement. From chemical exposure to hot gases, colored fabrics around the inlet may partially discolor.

When fired from a distance of up to 5--7 cm with smokeless powder, a slight singing of the pile of clothing or fluffy hair of the body is sometimes observed. From smoke powder at any distance within the second zone, smoldering or even ignition of clothing can occur, and on the skin - a burn of II-III degree.

Soot deposits around the inlet occupy a round or oval area of ​​various sizes. Its thick deposits are dark gray or almost black in color, and become paler with increasing distance of the shot. When fired from a distance of 20--35 cm, soot deposits are pale gray in color, so they are visible to the eye only on white tissues, they are difficult to distinguish on the skin, and are completely indistinguishable on dark tissues.

Soot is not only deposited on the surface of tissues, but also penetrates into their thickness. Upon contact with the skin, its particles damage the epidermis and can penetrate into the Malpighian layer.

Together with the soot, particles of incompletely burned powder grains are deposited. When fired from a very close distance, they are located densely near the edges of the inlet, and with increasing distance they are distributed over almost the entire area of ​​sooting. Particles of powder grains damage the skin and can penetrate not only into the epidermis, but also into the dermis. Thin fabrics of clothing, they can pierce through. Together with powders, large metal particles torn off the surface of a bullet or cartridge case act similarly. If a shot is fired from a lubricated barrel, then small splashes of gun grease are added to the deposits of soot and powder.

In the third zone of a close shot, in addition to a firearm, particles of metal and powder grains act. The distance of this zone for most types of weapons ranges from 20-35 to 100-200 cm; sometimes it is somewhat less, and for hunting weapons - more.

At the beginning of the specified distance, a large number of metal particles and powders are introduced into the object of the shot. With increasing distance, most of them only hit the surface of the body and bounce. From their impact, traces remain on the skin in the form of small abrasions and metallization. At the end of the distance, only single particles reach the body, but they no longer penetrate either into clothes or into the skin of the body, but can only stick to their surface.

Methods for detecting traces of a close shot. As already noted, traces of a close shot are not always visible to the eye. When they are distinguishable, it becomes necessary to reveal their chemical composition and other features. Therefore, to establish traces of a close shot, their nature and features, special research methods are used.

Deposits of soot and powders on the skin and clothes covered in blood are detected by soaking or carefully washing the blood with water or by photographing in reflected infrared rays. Powder grains and other foreign particles from clothing fabrics are removed by knocking out or carefully scraping along the pile with a scalpel over a sheet of paper. All extracted particles are then subjected to a special study (microscopy, flash test, etc.). Deposits of powders and damage from them on clothing and skin can be detected by direct microscopy using a binocular magnifier or microscope. Introduced powders and soot are well detected in histological sections. If special stains are applied, then in these sections some shot metals (lead, iron, copper) can be detected.

Sometimes layer-by-layer radiography is used, examining clothing, skin and tissue sections of the wound canal area in the softest x-rays. At the same time, both large and small particles of metal, diffuse deposits of lead, powder grains, small fragments of bones are detected on the radiograph. Chemical and spectral studies are used to detect shot metals. A variation of chemical research is the method of color prints. The latter reveals not only the nature, but also the topographical picture of metals in the traces of a close shot and in the rubdown belts. Gun grease in wipe-down belts and close shot marks is detected using ultraviolet rays.

Shot distance - the distance from the muzzle of the weapon to the surface, the affected part of the body or clothing.

There are three main shooting distances: point-blank shot, close-range shot, and close-range shot.

shot stop- a shot when the muzzle of a weapon or a compensator (a device for improving the accuracy of combat during firing and reducing recoil) is in direct contact with clothing or skin. In this case, the muzzle can be pressed against the body (full hermetic stop), loosely touch the entire surface of the muzzle (non-hermetic or incomplete stop) and touch the body only with the edge of the muzzle when the weapon is attached to the body at an angle. When fired at close range, the first traumatic effect on the skin and underlying tissues is exerted by the pre-bullet air, the impact continues by the bullet, knocking out a fragment of the skin, and following the bullet, powder gases and other additional factors of the shot burst into the wound channel.

At full stop the bore of the weapon goes directly into the wound channel, and all additional factors of the shot will be in the wound channel.

The entrance wound at full stop has a star-shaped, less often spindle-shaped or irregularly rounded shape, there is a detachment of the skin along the edges of the wound, tears or ruptures of the skin in the circumference of the inlet without soot, the inner edges of the hole and the tissues of the wound channel are covered with soot, there are others in the wound channel additional shot factors. The skin defect in the area of ​​the entry wound exceeds the caliber of the firearm.

From close contact on the skin, an imprint of the muzzle of the weapon is formed - a "punching mark" due to the fact that gases spreading under the skin lift it, pressing it to the muzzle, this is also facilitated by the suction effect of the discharged space, which is formed in the bore after the shot. The imprint of the muzzle on the body and on clothing is not always found, but its presence is a convincing sign of a point-blank shot. On the skin, such an imprint looks like an abrasion, bruising, or an additional wound.

When shot in the mouth, ruptures of the corners of the mouth in the form of radial cracks, fractures of the jaws, destruction of the skull and brain are observed.

One of the signs of a point-blank shot is a bright red staining of the tissues in the area of ​​​​the inlet due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin, which is formed from carbon monoxide contained in powder gases.

With incomplete, non-hermetic stop, part of the powder gases breaks between the skin and the muzzle, and soot particles settle on the skin within a radius of up to 4-5 cm.

With side stop gases and soot break out in the area of ​​​​the open corner, where the end of the barrel did not come into contact with the body. The exit hole on the skin when fired at close range has a normal appearance.

Shot at close range (within additional factors)

A close distance is understood as such a distance when not only a bullet affects the body, but also additional factors of a shot (pre-bullet air, thermal effect of a powder charge - gases, powder grains, soot particles, powder gases, soot particles, unburned powders, metal particles, gun grease, primer particles). There are three zones:

1st zone (3-5 cm.) - a zone of pronounced mechanical action of powder gases, the entrance wound is formed due to the bursting and bruising action of powder gases, pre-bullet air and the penetrating action of a bullet. The edges of the wound have ruptures, a wide ring of settling ("ring of air settling") due to the action of pre-bullet air; deposition around the wound of soot of dark gray (black) smokeless powder and black or dark brown smoke powder; particles of incompletely burned powders; scorching of vellus hair or clothing fabric fibers (thermal action of powder gases); traces of gun grease;

2nd zone (20-35 cm)- deposition of soot together with particles of powder grains and metal particles, the wound is formed only by a bullet. Around the wound is the deposition of soot, powders, metal particles, gun grease.

3rd zone (150 cm)- deposition of powder grains and metal particles, the wound is formed only by a bullet, around the wound is the deposition of powders, metal particles.