NCJ Number
123797
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1988) Pages: 264-267
Date Published
1988
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The behavior of pistol bullets ricocheting from concrete surfaces was examined to determine its implications for police tactics during shooting episodes.
Abstract
A poured concrete wall was used as an intermediate target, with paper silhouettes as the final targets in the indoor firing range. Shots were fired at the concrete surfaces with a .38 caliber Ruger revolver with a 4-inch barrel and a 9mm Star semiautomatic pistol with a 4-inch barrel. Lead balls, lead hollow-point bullets, and full-metal jackets were used as ammunition. Firings were at angles of incidence of 45, 30, and 20 degrees, and angles of ricochet were calculated trigonometrically. Results showed that lying prone on a concrete surface such as a street or sidewalk offers less protection than might be expected. Although the standing officer presents a larger target to direct and ricochet fire than the prone officer, the standing officer is more likely to be struck in the lower legs by ricocheting bullets. In contrast, the prone officer is more likely to be struck in the head or upper chest by a ricocheting bullet. Further research on proper tactics is thus needed. Tables, figures, and 6 references.