GUNSHOT WOUNDS

Legal Definition: Section 877, Revised Administrative Code Firearm

includes rifles, muskets, shotguns, revolvers, pistols and all other
deadly weapons from which a bullet, ball shot, shell or other missile
may be discharged by means of gunpowder or other explosives. The
term also includes air rifles except such as being of small caliber and
limited range are used as toys. The barrel of any firearm shall be
considered as a complete firearm for all purposes thereof.
PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS OF WEAPONS TO CAUSE INJURY:
1. Cartridge or ammunition complete unfired unit consisting of
bullet, primer, cartridge case and powder charge.
2. Firearm - instrument for the propulsion of a projectile by the
expansive force of gases from a burning gunpowder.
3. Rifle is with a long barrel and a butt and fired from the
shoulder. Velocity 2,000 feet per second.
4. Shotgun projectile is a collection of lead pellets of varying sizes
depending on cartridge applied.
Powder Burns blackening of the margin of gunshot wound of entrance
due to smoke smudging, gunpowder tattooing and burring of the
wound margin.
Abrasion collar results when the pressure of bullet on the skin causes
the skin to be depressed and as the bullet lacerates the skin, the
depressed portion is rubbed with the rougher surface of the bullet.

FACTORS DETERMINING THE INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF MISSILE:

1. Factors inherent on the missile
a. Speed of the bullet

b. Size and shape of the bullet

c. Character of the missiles movement in flight
2. Nature of the target
a. Density of the target
b. Length of tissue involvement in its course
c. Nature of the media traversed bullet passing air spaces is
less destructive as air is compressible; traveling in liquid or
solid media may accelerate transmission of force to
surrounding tissues.
d. Organs involved
ENTRANCE WOUND
1. Smaller than the missile
due to elasticity of the
tissue
2. Edges are inverted
3. Usually oval or round
depending on angle of
approach of bullet
4.
Contusion
collar
or
contact ring present
5. Tattooing or smudging in
near contact fire
6.
Producing
underlying
tissues
7. Always present

EXIT WOUND
1. Always bigger than the missile
2. Edges are everted
3. No definite shape
4. Contusion collar absent
5. Tattooing absent
6. Underlying tissues may protrude from
wound
7. May be absent if missile is lodged in
the body

ENTRANCE WOUND (ENTRANCE DEFECT, INSHOOT)

Appearance depends on:
Caliber of the wounding weapon: the higher the caliber the
greater the size of wound.
Characteristics inherent to entrance wound: General rule oval
or circular with inverted edges except in near shot or grazing or
slap wound.
Direction of the fire
Shape and composition of the missile hollow-point, dum-dum or
soft point bullets
Range in close range, effects also due to expanded gases,
flame and solid products of combustion
Kind of weapon high power, conical bullets vs. hemispherical
bullets

Contact fire nature and extent of injury is dependent on the force of

the bullet, the gas of the muzzle blast and the part of the body
involved.
Muzzle imprint (barrel impression) - when the gun muzzle is pressed
on the body at the time of the fire, the heated muzzle during the blast
produces an ironing effect on the skin.
Metal fouling when the surface of the bullet is scraped by the grooves
as it travels the whole length of the barrel, the scraping are ejected
from the barrel and strikes the target.
Loose contact of near fire:
a. Short range fire 1 to 5 cm distance
b. Medium range fire more than 15cm but less than 60 cm
c. Fired more than 60 cm distance
SIZE OF ENTRANCE WOUND MAY NOT APPROXIMATE THE CALIBER OF
THE FIREARM

Entrance wound bigger in Contact or near-fire, deformity of the

bullet, tangential entry
Entrance wound smaller in Fragmentation of the bullet before
entry to skin, contraction of the elastic tissues of the skin
Exit or outshoot wound does not show characteristic shape
unlike entry wound.
Shored gunshot exit wound when wound exit is pressed on hard
surface or in small caliber shots the exit wound tends to be
circular with abrasion on border similar to entrance wound.

HOW TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF FIRES MADE BY THE OFFENDED:

1. Determine the number of spent shells
2. Determine the entrance wounds in the body of the victim the
number of wounds may not show the exact number of fire when
Not all the fire made hit the body of the victim
Bullet may have hit hard object causing splitting of
fragments with separate entrance wounds
Bullets may have entered a natural orifice of the body
QUESTIONS TO PHYSICIANS IN COURT:
1. Could the wound/s be inflicted by the weapon presented to him?
2. At what range was it fired?
3. What was the direction of the fire?
4. Is it possible that the wounds are self-inflicted? Signs of struggle?

5. Is it possible that victim returned fire or resisted attack after

sustaining injury? (Capacity to perform volitional acts)
6. What was the relative position of the assailant and the victim
when the shot was fired?
TESTS FOR PWDER RESIDUES AND PRIMER COMPONENTS
On the skin: dorsum of the hand or site of entrance wound
On clothing
BASIS OF THE TESTS:
When the gun is discharged the metallic residues from the
primer are blown forward towards the target and backward in the
direction of the shorter.
The particles of burned, burning and unburned gunpowder
moving in the same direction as the metallic residue are also
expelled.
These are deposited on the back of the firing hand of the shooter
on the palm of the victim warding off or grabbing the weapon at
time of discharge.
DERMAL NITRATE TEST (PARAFFIN TEST)
Positive result is not conclusive as to the presence of gunpowder.
Positive to nitrogenous compounds.
Negative result is not conclusive that the person did not fire a
gun as when the handgun is well constructed or the hand has
been subjected to extensive hand washing.
Not self-incriminatory as the act is purely mechanical.
THERMAL BURNS
Thermal burns lesions caused by heat or chemicals to the external or
internal surfaces of the body and includes lesions produced by fire,
radiant, heat, solid substances, fire, friction and electricity.
MEDICOLEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
a. Destruction of a victim of a criminal act to hide identity and
manner of death
b. Torch murder
c. Insurance fraud
d. Victim may have been trapped in building of fire
CLASSIFICATION OF BURNS: First degree, second degree superficial,
second degree deep, third degree.

BURNS
1. Caused by dry heat (flame,
heated solid or radiant heat)
2. Occurs at or above the site of
contact of the flame
3. Singeing of hair present
4. Unclear boundary between
affected and unaffected area
5. Clothing involved

SCALDS
1. Caused by application of moist
heat (liquid, steam)
2. Occurs at or below the site of
application or contact with liquid
3. Singeing of hair absent
4. Boundary distinct
5. Clothing are not usually burned

FACTORS AFFECTING THE EFFECTS OF BURNS IN THE BODY:

1. Degree of heat applied
2. Duration of exposure
3. Extent of the surface involved
4. Portion of the body involved: burns of head, neck, trunk and
genital organs are usually serious
5. Age of the victim
6. Sex of the victim
7. Infection
8. Degree of burns

PROOF THAT THE VICTIM WAS ALIVE BEFORE BURNED TO DEATH:

1. Presence of smoke in the passage
2. Increased carboxy-hemoglobin blood level in carbon monoxide
exposure. Cherry-red color of skin.
3. Redness, edema and vesicle formation presence of vital
reaction in the heated area.
In ante-mortem and post-mortem burns and blisters, the principal basis
of distinction is the presence or absence or vital reaction
inflammation, congestion, granulation tissues, the amount of proteins.
Other causes of blisters:
1. Blister due to putrefaction fluid is blood-stained with
putrefactive changes in the body.
2. Blister due to disease distribution and absence of signs of heat
application.
3. Blister due to fraction absence of signs of heat application.
Heat rupture is the splitting of the soft tissues of the body due to
exposure before or after death to considerable heat.

Heat stiffening is a condition found in dead bodies which have been

subjected to heat. The heat coagulates the proteins in muscle causing
stiffness and contraction. The extremities are flexed and fingers in
pugilistic position.
DEATH BY ASPHYXIA
Asphyxia results primarily from the interference with the process of
respiration or the condition in which the supply of oxygen to the blood
or to the tissues or both has been reduced below normal level.
CLASSIFICATION OF ASPHYXIA
By hanging
By strangulation strangulation by ligature, manual
strangulation or throttling, other forms palma strangulation,
garroting, mugging or yoking, compression of the neck with stick
Suffocation something or closing of the mouth and nostrils by
solid objects, choking or closing of the air passage by obstruction
of its lumen
By submersion or drowning
By pressure on the chest
By irrespirable gases
CLASSIFICATION
1. As to location of the ligature and knot
Typical ligature runs from the midline above the thyroid
cartilage symmetrical encircling the neck
Atypical ligature is tied on one side of the neck, in front of
or behind the ear, or on the chin
2. As to the amount of constricting force
Complete when the body is completely suspended and
the constricting force is the whole weight of the body
Partial when the bod is partially suspended as when the
victim is sitting, kneeling or assuming other positions
3. As to symmetry
Symmetrical when the knot is at the midline at the
occiput or below the chin
FINDINGS THAT SHOW HANGING IS ANTE-MORTEM:
Vital reaction
1. Redness at the site of ligature
2. Ecchymosis of pharynx and epiglottis
3. Rupture of the intima of the carotid artery
4. Sub pleural, subepicardial punctuate hemorrhage

Evidence in support of homicidal hanging:

1. Disturbance in surrounding
2. Signs of struggle
3. Presence of bodily injuries in the body of the victim
4. Presence of defense wounds in the body of the victim
Evidence in support of suicidal hanging:
1. Findings compatible with self-suspension
2. Clenching of hand and absence of signs of struggle
3. History of suicide attempt
4. Suicide note
5. Easily accessible materials
ASPHYXIA BY STRANGULATION
Strangulation by ligature produced by compression of the
neck by means of a ligature tightened by a force other than
the weight of the body.
Ligature is drawn tight by pulling the ends after
crossing the back or front of the neck
Several folds of ligature around the neck tightly
placed and ends are knotted
Or loop is thrown over the head and a stick twists the
noose tight
DEATH BY HANGING
Hyoid bone injured
Ligature mark inverted V with apex
At site of knot
Ligature at level of hyoid bone
Vertebral injury frequent
STRANGULATION WITH LIGATURE
Hyoid bone spared
Ligature mark horizontal with knot on same horizontal plane
Ligature below the larynx
Groove uniform in depth
Vertebral injury not observed
MANUAL STRANGULATION OR THROTTLING - the constricting force
applied on the neck is the hand
Methods of throttling:
a. Using one hand - neck is grasped with the thumb exerting on one

side and the rest of the fingers on the opposite side

b. Using both hands with assailant in front
c. Using both hands with assailant behind
Manner of death in strangulation:
Air passage is blocked and death is due to asphyxia
Compression of the blood vessels in the neck and blocking blood
supply to the brain
Compression of nerves of the neck producing shock
OTHER FORMS OF STRANGULATION
a. Palmar strangulation - the palm of the hand of the offender is
pressed in front of the neck without using other fingers.
b. Garroting - a ligature, a metal collar or a bowstring is placed
around the neck and tightened at the back.
c. Mugging - with the assailant standing behind the victim, the
forearm is applied in front of the neck.
ASPHYXIA BY SUFFOCATION - is exclusion of air from the lungs by
closure of air openings or obstruction of the air passageway from the
external openings to the air sacs.
SMOTHERING
Caused by the closing of the external respiratory orifices by the
use of the hand or by some other means, as in block by foreign
substances.
Suicidal smothering by use of hands is not possible.
Accidental smothering may occur when a person is under the
influence of alcohol or drugs, epilepsy or helpless state.
Overlaying - in children from pressure of beddings or pressure of
unconscious parent.
Gagging - application of materials to prevent access of air
through the mouth and nostrils.
Plastic bag suffocation - in children when bag covers face
including nostrils and mouth.
CHOKING
Is suffocation from impaction of foreign body in the respiratory
passage: Vomitus, regurgitated food from stomach, bolus of food
(cafe coronary), false set of teeth, blood in oral surgery, bleeding
from lungs usually accidental.
ASPHYXIA BY SUBMERSION OR DROWNING
Nostrils and mouth are submerged in any fluid for a period of

time preventing the free entrance of air into the air passage and
lungs.
It is not necessary for the whole body to be submerged in fluid. It
is sufficient for the nostrils and mouth to be under the fluid.

CAUSES OF DEATH IN DROWNING

a. Typical drowning - the primary cause of death is asphyxia with
the water interfering with respiration.
b. Atypical drowning - the causes of death may be:
i. Vagal simulation causing cardiac inhibition
ii.
Laryngeal spasm from inhaled water
iii.
Unconsciousness at time of submersion
The average time for death in drowning is 2 to 5 minutes. The
length of survival in drowning is inversely proportional to the
amount of froth in the respiratory tract.
POST-MORTEM FINDINGS:
a. External findings
Wet clothes, face pale, foreign bodies on skin.
"Cutis anserina" or gooseflesh due to the contrast of the erector
pili muscle
"Washerwoman's hands and feet" proves only that the body has
remained in water for sometime
Penis and scrotum may be contracted, eyes half-opened or
closed, conjunctivae red and pupils dilated, mouth half-open of
closed with tongue protruding
Post-mortem lividity marked in head, neck and chest
Cadaveric spasm
Other physical injuries
INTERNAL FINDINGS:
a. "Emphysema aquosum" - lungs are distended overlapping the
heart with rib markings on the surface due to the irritation by the
inhaled water stimulating mucus secretion. The lungs are
progressively distended and air is driven by the fluid to the lung
surface.
b. "Edema aquosum" - entrance of water into the air sacs makes
the lung doughy, pits on pressure and exudes water and froth
when cut.
c. "Champignon d'ocume" - whitish foam in the nostrils and mouth.
This is due to the abundant mucus secretion of the respiratory
passage which by respiratory movement whips up into foam.
If the drowning took place in salty water, the blood chloride
content is greater in the left side of the heart than in the right. If
drowning took place in fresh water, the blood chloride is more in

the right ventricle than in the left.

Floating of the body occurs within 24 hours from drowning.
Decomposition of the body causes accumulation of gas in the
body causing the body to float.
"Tete de negri" - bronze color of the head and neck when
drowned body is in decomposition. With head submerged blood
accumulates in the face and neck.

COMPRESSION ASPHYXIA OR CRUSH ASPHYXIA

Respiration is prevented by the immobility of the chest and
abdomen due to external pressure
Assailant may kneel on chest of victim. Victim in wrestling, body
pinned under collapsing building.
ASPHYXIA BY BREATHING IRRESPIRABLE GASES
Carbon monoxide "silent killer"
Colorless gas
Combines with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin which is
more stable than oxyhemoglobin
Limits oxygen carrying capacity of blood and prevents release of
oxygen from oxyhemoglobin
Accidental and suicidal death: enclosing in a room or garage with
motor engine running
Carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, cyanide
VEHICULAR ACCIDENT
In automotive crash
a. First collision - the impact of the moving vehicle with another
vehicle or a foxed object. The moving vehicle rapidly decelerates
and stops after the impact.
b. Second Collision the impact of the unrestrained occupants
inside the vehicle. Immediately after the firs collision, the
occupants move in the same direction and at the same velocity
towards the point of impact.
Impact can be of several forms:
a. Front impact crash - when the driver strikes the steering wheel,
the hub of the steering column, windshield, rear view mirror, the
column between windshield and side window or the dashboard.
Fast running vehicle: portion of care may be accordion and
steering wheel given back to passenger compartment.
b. Side impact crash - when a vehicle strikes on the side of another
vehicle (as in street intersection) or when a vehicle skids
sideways into a fixed object.
c. Rear impact crash - as in change of lane in expressway or crash

d.

e.

f.
g.

at the rear of a parked vehicle. Acceleration-deceleration injury

or whiplash injury: with the impact the head moves backward
then moves forward until the chin strikes the front of chest.
Roll over crash (turn-turtle impact) - while rolling, the occupants
may be pinned, crushed, or may be thrown away and fall on the
ground. Ejection of the occupant - the primary impact of the
vehicle
Suicidal crash - usually a single vehicle and single occupant
crash. Head on collision with roadside object,pole or bridge
support at a high speed. No evidence of effort to apply brake or
foot still on accelerator pedal.
Pedestrian-vehicle collision
Primary impact - is the first violent contact between the
pedestrian and the motor vehicle. The severity depends on:
position of the victim upon impact, speed of the moving vehicle
and amount of bodily support.
If the contact is below the center of gravity, the body moves
backwards to hit the hood, windshield or top of the car. The
average height of the bumper is 40 to 60 cms from the ground.
The most common site of impact is the upper portion of the leg
(bumper fracture)
If the driver had effectively applied the break before the impact,
contact will be at a lower level due to downward dive of the front
end of the vehicle immediately after application of the brake.
The leg carrying the body has more tendency to be fractured. If
the victim is standing, both legs may be fractured.
If the primary impact is above the center of gravity of the
pedestrian, the tendency of the body is to move away from the
vehicle and fall on the ground.
If the brake was applied during or immediately after the crash,
the car slows down faster than the movement of the pedestrian
who continues moving forward and lands on the road.
If no brake was applied during the accident and at a high speed,
the pedestrian passes over the top of the hood, windshield and
windshield frame.
Secondary impact - is the subsequent impact of the pedestrian to
the ground after the first impact. Injuries depend on the force of
ground impact, nature of the road and part of the body involved.
Run-over injuries - pedestrian, usually a child, receives the
impact above the center of gravity falling on the ground with the
car wheel passing over the body. Crash fracture, skid or tire
marks, rupture of organs and internal hemorrhage may result.
Hit and run injuries - usually happens when driver is drunk or
high, at night time, in an isolated road with no eyewitnesses. The

thread marks, abrasion prints or parts of vehicle in contact with

victim or in crime scene may be submitted to laboratory.
Filed sobriety tests refer to standardized tests to initially assess
and determine intoxication, such as the horizontal gaze
nystagmus, the walk-and-turn, the one-leg stand.
Alcoholic drunkenness - a person with at least 0.15% alcohol in
the blood is considered drunk. Some countries consider it a crime
driving with only 0.05% blood alcohol.