NCJ Number
11394
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1973) Pages: 362-365
Date Published
1973
Length
4 pages
Annotation
ROLE OF THE SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE IN ANALYZING FABRICS FRACTURED BY THE PASSAGE OF BULLETS AND CUT BY SHARP MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS KNIVES AND RAZORS.
Abstract
THE STUDY INVOLVED AN ANALYSIS OF THE AREA SURROUNDING THE ACTUAL HOLE OF PENETRATION AND THE SO-CALLED POWDER BURN. AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DETERMINE DIFFERENCES IN THE FIBER ENDS AFTER PENETRATION BY A PROJECTILE OR SHARP INSTRUMENT. BOTH SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL FABRICS EXHIBITED VARIATIONS IN FIBER DISINTEGRATION. THE DARKENED AREA SURROUNDING THE SAMPLE BULLET HOLES WAS FOUND TO CONSIST OF A DEPOSIT OF THE POWDER WAX AND LUBRICANT USED IN THE BULLETS, RATHER THAN MELTED FABRIC DEBRIS. THE SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE PROVED ITSELF OF VALUE IN THE STUDY OF PUNCTURE HOLES IN FABRICS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)