L6: Firearm Injuries Flashcards
Def of Firearm weapon
- Specialized device designed to propel a projectile (shot/bullet missile) by expansive force of gases generated as a result of combustion of the propellent (gun powder) at its base.
Structure of rifled cartridge
Any cartridge consists of a case holding all parts togetber.
-The top has a projectile (bullet)
- The base has a percussion “primer” cap
- The space between projectile and percussion cap is filled with a propellant (e.g. gunpowder).
Functions of Rifling
The idea of riflings is to force bullet from muzzle in a spiral manner (rotating on its longitudinal axis) to:
- Diminish resistance of air & gravity to the bullet.
- Give it longer range of travelling.
- Give it more power of penetration.
- Increase stability of the bullet & prevent it from wobbling.
what are Firearm weapons composed of?
Classification of Firearm weapons
Def of Rifling
Riflings mean “longitudinal ridges alternating with grooves, running spirally on inner surface of barrel parallel to each other”.
Characters of Rifling
- Riflings vary in number, direction (either clockwise or anticlockwise), depth and width.
- Rifling is individual for each weapon
“ so, no two weapons have the same rifling. - Rifling leave on surface of the fired bullet “rifling marks” which are oblique parallel grooves of same number, depth, breadth and direction as the riflings
Composition of the firearm cartridge
1) Bullet
2) Case
3) Gunpowder
4) Base
5) Percussion cap.
what is a bullet made of?
- It’s usually made of lead,
- which may have a jacket made of strong metal (copper or nickel), so named “jacketed bullets”
Shape of bullets
It’s conical in shape to ensure least air resistance.
Types of bullets
- Semijacketed
- Open tip
- Dumdumised “Dum Dum”
- Explosive
- Soft point
- Hollow point
- Boat tail
- Frangible bullets.
Def of Rubber Projectiles
- They are rubber or rubbor-coated projectiles that can be fired from riot guns.
Usage of Rubber Projectiles
- They are used extensively for riot control.
- They are intended to be a non-lethal altornalive to metal projectiles.
Characters of Rubber Projectiles
Pattern of firing of Rubber Projectiles
- It should not be fired at a distance less than 20 meter.
- Policemen are instructed to fire at lower half of the body, to avoid the more serious injuries arising from hitting head or chest.
Definition of Shots
- These are lead pellets are used in non-rilled weapon, which may be machine-made or home-made shots.
MLI of Shots
- Their presence denotes that the wound is a firearm injury.
- They give an idea about type of the weapon used.
- They give an idea about distance of firing (diameter of area of dispersion of shots).