A distant relationship? —investigation of correlations between DNA isolated from backspatter traces recovered from firearms, wound profile characteristics, and shooting distance

In this study, we investigated possible correlations between the shooting distance and the amount of backspatter in/on the used firearm. To this purpose, we employed a previously established skull model and performed shootings in triplicates fro m various distances up to 50 cm with two types of handguns (pistol and revolver). Backspatter was collected from various sampling locations, and DNA contents were quantified. A post-shooting wound channel evaluation was conducted by optical and radiological evaluation. The obtained DNA yields varie d considerably between replicates from the same and from different distances. In contrast, apart from contact shots, no meaningful differences were observable in wound channel evaluations. In summary, no meaningful correlation between backspatter distribution and DNA yields, the shooting distance an d the condition of the wound channel could be established.
Source: International Journal of Legal Medicine - Category: Medical Law Source Type: research