An Analysis of the Characteristics of Thoracic and Abdominal Injuries Due to Gunshot Homicides in Israel

• Published in: Journal of forensic sciences 2016-01, Vol.61 (1), p.87-92
• Main Authors: Maiden, Nicholas R., Hiss, Jehuda, Gips, Hadas, Hocherman, Gil, Levin, Nadav, Kosachevsky, Olga, Vinokurov, Asya, Zelkowicz, Avraham, Byard, Roger W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdominal Injuries - mortality; Abdominal Injuries - pathology; Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Autopsies; bullet trajectory; cause of death; Child; Crime Victims - statistics & numerical data; entry wound; Female; Firearms - statistics & numerical data; Forensic Ballistics; Forensic pathology; forensic science; Homicide - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Israel - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; organ damage; rib damage; Sex Distribution; Thoracic Injuries - mortality; Thoracic Injuries - pathology; Wounds, Gunshot - mortality; Wounds, Gunshot - pathology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0022-1198; 1556-4029
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12901

De‐identified wound data from 197 homicidal gunshot postmortems were obtained between 2000 and 2008. Forensic ballistics data were only available for cases between 2004 and 2008. Males represent 91% of gunshot victims and were struck in the thorax/abdomen with an average of 2.3 bullets. The type of firearms involved were semi‐automatic pistols in the predominant caliber 9‐mm Luger and assault rifles in caliber 5.56 × 45 mm and caliber 7.62 × 39 mm Soviet, using full metal jacket bullets. The majority of shootings occurred at ranges of 1 m or greater. The most common bullet path was front to back in 66% of cases. Entry wounds occurred more often on the left side of the thorax, abdomen, and back. The most common critical organs/tissues to sustain bullet trauma in descending order were as follows: heart, lungs, liver, aorta, spleen, kidneys, and vena cava. Ribs were struck by most bullets that entered the thorax.