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Effects of Decomposition on Gunshot Wound Characteristics: Under Cold Temperatures with No Insect Activity

NCJ Number
226567
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2009 Pages: 448-451
Author(s)
Lauren E. MacAulay B.Sc.; Darryl G. Barr B.Sc.; Doug B. Strongman Ph.D.
Date Published
March 2009
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the effects of decomposition on gunshot wound characteristics (physical surface tissue characteristics) when a body was placed in an exposed environment and in a shaded environment with low temperatures (-10 degrees C to +10 degrees C), such that insects would not contribute significantly to the physical changes as the body decomposed.
Abstract
Study results support Payne’s (1965) conclusion that it is difficult to divide decomposition of a carcass into well-defined stages when insects are absent or when temperatures are low. In the current study, the pigs entered the earliest phase of the bloat stage evidenced by the green discoloration in the torso. Apart from this occurrence, there was little change in the overall appearance of the pigs over the 56-day observation period. The characteristics of the gunshot wound did not change over this period to the extent that evidence associated with the wound would be misinterpreted. Once the bodies became covered with ice and snow, however, the wounds did not maintain the typical appearance of gunshot wounds, so accurate interpretation of the gunshot wounds would be difficult absent familiarity with the effect of ice and snow on gunshot wound characteristics. The study was conducted from November 2005 to January 2006 in Nova Scotia, Canada, in forested and exposed environments. Pigs were used as human models. They were shot six times each at three ranges (contact, 2.5 cm, and 1.5 m). 5 figures and 9 references