Abstract

The case of Shraddha Walker murder has been one of the most shocking criminal cases in modern India. The murder of Shraddha Walker by her live-in partner, Aaftab Amin Poonawala, occurred in Delhi in 2022. The case gained considerable national media coverage because of its violent nature and the heavy use of forensic science in investigation. The case of Shraddha Walker will discuss the process of investigating the crime, the evidence gathered, medico-legal findings, forensic involvement, the legal provisions, and the significance of the case.

Introduction

The murder of Shraddha Walker is one of the criminal cases that have become the most widely discussed criminal cases in India due to their violent nature and the forensic investigation. The murder took place in Delhi on May 18, 2022, when the accused allegedly killed and dismembered the corpse of his girlfriend to cover up the crime.

Forensic science, digital evidence, and medico-legal examination have become an integral part of the investigation of such a crime. This paper will analyze the case summary, the investigation process, the evidence obtained, forensic involvement, the legal provisions, and the overall significance of the case.

Shraddha Walker

Aaftab Amin Poonawala

Case Summary

Shraddha Walker met her boyfriend, Aaftab Amin Poonawala, through a dating app and started living together in a live-in relationship. The two are alleged to have faced opposition from their respective families. It is reported that in 2022, the two shifted to Delhi and rented an apartment in Mehrauli.

According to police, the couple often had arguments about their marriage and other relationship issues. One of such violent disagreements took place on 18 May 2022 when the man allegedly killed the woman by strangulation. To cover up the crime, the accused is said to have bought a refrigerator and other necessary items and cut the body in several pieces before storing it in the fridge. The body was further disposed of in nearby forests at night over a period of days.

It all came out in open after the father of Shraddha filed a complaint about her missing person. Police investigation led to the identification of the accused who then admitted the crime under pressure during questioning.

Shraddha Walker’s father- Vikas Walkar

Investigation

Delhi police investigated the case by working closely with forensic specialists, digital analysts, and investigators. Investigation process mainly involved reconstruction of the chain of events and collection of relevant physical evidence.

Police team thoroughly examined the rented premises in Mehrauli. They collected samples of blood traces from the apartment where the body had been allegedly dismembered despite the efforts made to hide it from being identified. Moreover, police searched the forests to retrieve skeletal remains.

The investigation included searching for electronic and digital footprints of the accused. Mobile phone records, internet searches made, geolocation data, and messages on social media played important role in the inquiry

Police also questioned eyewitnesses including neighbors, friends, medical experts, and shopkeepers.

Searching for evidences

Types of Evidence Recovered

The following types of evidence were collected:

1. Biological Evidence

o   Blood stains found in the apartment.

o   Human bones recovered from forests.

o   Samples of DNA collected from Shraddha’s father.

2. Digital Evidence

o   Mobile phone records.

o   WhatsApp chat logs and other social media interactions.

o   Online search history of the accused.

o   GPS data and electronic transactions.

3. Physical Evidence

o   A refrigerator used to keep body parts of the victim.

o   Cutting instruments and domestic objects.

o   The clothing of the deceased.

4. Circumstantial Evidence

o   Testimonies of neighbors and friends.

o   Behavioral changes after the disappearance of Shraddha.

o   Late report and misinformation alleged to be shared by the accused.

Medico-Legal Examination

Conducting medico-legal examination posed several challenges because of the nature of the remains recovered. Due to the decomposition process, it was difficult to ascertain the exact reason and date of death.

In an attempt to identify the deceased, DNA profiling tests were carried out on bones found. Forensic scientists checked whether the bones belonged to humans and estimated their age and sex based on the analysis. It was found that the victim met her end through homicidal violence. However, the medico-legal investigation could not reach concrete conclusions because of fragmentation of the body.

Role of Forensic Science

Forensic science had a significant role to play in the resolution of the Shraddha Walker murder case. Important contributions by forensic science include:

Ø   DNA Analysis

Use of DNA profiling helped to ascertain that the skeletal remains found belonged to Shraddha Walker.

Ø   Crime Scene Examination

 Use of chemical tests helped to detect cleansed blood stains and biological matter within the apartment.

Ø   Digital Forensics

 Investigation into electronic devices such as mobile phones, browsing history, communications history, location information helped to get vital clues in investigating the crime.

Ø   Forensic Anthropology

 Skeletal remains were examined by the experts to determine their human nature and establish certain biological characteristics.

Ø   Psychological and Behavioral Analysis

Psychologists and other behavioral experts were able to examine the conduct of the accused before, during, and after the crime.

The role of forensic science in the above-listed aspects helped to establish the guilt of the accused despite the lack of eyewitnesses and incomplete physical remains.

Sections Involved

The accused was tried under several sections of the IPC including:

Ø  Section 302 – Murder

Ø  Section 201 – Causing disappearance of evidence of offence

Ø  Section 404 – Dishonest misappropriation of property

Ø  Section 34 – Common intention (if applicable during investigation)

Ø  Provisions of other Acts relating to electronic evidence and procedures for the investigation of offenses as per Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Indian Evidence Act would have been also useful in the trial.

 Judgement

There has been considerable interest in the case amongst the media and general public ever since it came into public domain. Trial involved scientific evidence, digital and electronic evidences, witnesses' testimony, forensic findings, and the conduct of the accused after committing the murder.

The prosecution was largely dependent upon circumstantial and forensic evidence since there were no eyewitnesses to the murder. Evidence obtained through remains, DNA reports, electronic evidence, and other investigations served the purpose of prosecuting the accused.

Significance of the Case

The case of Shraddha Walker's murder was quite significant from social, legal, and forensic points of view.

First of all, it emphasized the increased relevance and importance of forensic science in modern investigation practices. The case showed how valuable DNA analysis and digital forensics can be in solving cases where there is limited physical evidence.

Another crucial aspect that the case revealed was the need to raise awareness among the population regarding domestic violence, toxic relationships, and women's security. Additionally, the case made it clear that there should be a quicker reporting of missing persons cases. Finally, the murder case demonstrated the problems associated with evidence destruction by offenders.

Due to the intense media coverage, many people started discussing the issues associated with criminal psychology, live-in relationships, and the protection of women's rights under the law.

Conclusion

The case of Shraddha Walker murder has become one of the most disturbing homicide cases in India because of the cruelty of the offense and complexity of the criminal investigation. However, despite the offender's efforts to hide his crime, evidence destruction, and late reporting of the crime, the investigators managed to solve the case by using forensic science techniques, digital forensics, and thorough investigation.

Reference

1.      Hindustan Times – Shraddha Walkar case: Aaftab Poonawala charged with murder

2.      NDTV – Shraddha Walkar had complained about threats in 2020

3.      Hindustan Times – Evidence and investigation details in Shraddha Walkar case

4.      NDTV – DNA test confirms bones belonged to Shraddha Walkar

5.      NDTV – Hair and bones recovered confirmed through DNA analysis

6.      NDTV – Multiple weapons allegedly used in body dismemberment

7.      The Week – Chargesheet included forensic evidence and witness statements

8.      Times of India – Key developments in the Shraddha Walker murder case

Author: Ms. Gayathri R Pillai

Volunteer

Applied Forensic Research Sciences (AFRS)

Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.

🌎 www.appliedforensicresearchsciences.in

📧 afrsciences@gmail.com

CASE STUDY

REVATHY P B
BSc Forensic Science and Criminology
Srinivas Institute of Allied Health Science
Mangalore

INTRODUCTION

The case of the BTK Killer, officially identified as Dennis Lynn Rader, is among the most extensively studied instances in criminal psychology and criminology. Rader operated in Wichita, Kansas, between 1974 and 1991, murdering ten individuals in a methodical, sadistic manner. His self-given moniker “BTK” referred to his preferred modus operandi - Bind, Torture, Kill - which encapsulated his desire for dominance and control. This case exemplifies the coexistence of a socially acceptable persona with a violent psychopathic identity, offering significant insights into organized offending, psychopathy, and forensic investigation methodologies.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this case study on the BTK Killer, Dennis Rader, is to analyze his psychological profile, criminal behavior, and methods from a scientific criminological perspective. It aims to understand how Rader’s personality traits, such as psychopathy and narcissism, influenced his actions, and how he maintained a dual life as a respected citizen and a serial killer. The study also seeks to examine his modus operandi, the theories explaining his deviance, and the investigative techniques that led to his capture, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of criminal psychology and law enforcement strategies.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Dennis Lynn Rader, infamously known as the BTK Killer, is a prime example of an organized and psychopathic serial offender who operated undetected for nearly three decades in Wichita, Kansas, United States. Between 1974 and 1991, Rader murdered ten individuals in a series of meticulously planned attacks characterized by sexual sadism, control, and psychological domination.

Rader was born on March 9, 1945, into a working-class family and appeared to lead a conventional life. However, from childhood, he exhibited early deviant tendencies, such as animal cruelty and violent fantasies involving bondage and control. Despite these underlying pathologies, Rader maintained the appearance of a responsible citizen, serving in the U.S. Air Force, working as a municipal compliance officer, and holding leadership roles within his church and community.

Rader’s modus operandi was highly organized and ritualistic. He selected victims through stalking, breaking into their homes, and restraining them with ropes or cords. Each act followed a consistent sequence—binding, torturing, and killing—performed in a manner that fulfilled his sadistic fantasies. He often took personal items from his victims as “trophies,” later using them to relive his crimes. His actions were not impulsive but deliberate, displaying elements of rational choice and premeditation.

In 2004, after years of silence, he resumed communication with the police, sending a floppy disk that investigators traced to the Christ Lutheran Church and his personal computer. This digital evidence, combined with DNA analysis from his daughter’s medical records, confirmed his identity.

Rader was arrested on February 25, 2005, and confessed to all ten murders.

EVIDENCE COLLECTED

The evidence collected in the BTK Killer investigation combined traditional forensic methods with modern scientific techniques to establish Dennis Rader’s guilt. Key evidence included biological samples, such as semen recovered from several crime scenes, which were later matched to Rader through DNA profiling, providing conclusive identification.

Serological evidence refers to the examination of bodily fluids such as blood, semen, and saliva for forensic purposes. Before the development of DNA testing, serological analysis was primarily used to determine blood group antigens, enzyme types, and protein markers, which helped narrow down potential suspects.

The transition from traditional serology to molecular biology techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profiling marked a pivotal shift in forensic methodology. This evolution enabled the precise genetic matching that ultimately confirmed Rader’s culpability.

Written letters sent by the killer to police and media served as crucial behavioral evidence, revealing his narcissism and need for control. The turning point came with digital evidence from a floppy disk Rader sent in 2004, which forensic experts traced to his church computer.

SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS

The scientific analysis of the BTK Killer integrated principles from forensic science, psychology, and criminology to understand his behavior and identify him as the offender. Forensic examination of biological evidence, including semen and trace materials, provided conclusive DNA matches linking Rader to multiple victims. Psychological profiling revealed characteristics of psychopathy, narcissism, and sadistic tendencies, explaining his need for domination and control over victims. Additionally, digital forensics played a crucial role when metadata from a floppy disk traced back to Rader’s church computer, confirming his identity.

FINDINGS

The findings from the BTK Killer investigation revealed that Dennis Rader exhibited traits of a highly organized and psychologically complex offender. Scientific and forensic analysis confirmed his direct involvement in ten murders through DNA evidence, behavioral profiling, and digital forensics. The results showed that Rader derived psychological gratification from control, fear, and domination, aligning with traits of sexual sadism and narcissistic personality disorder.

VERDICT

In 2005, Dennis Rader was convicted of ten counts of first-degree murder after overwhelming scientific and forensic evidence established his guilt beyond doubt. DNA profiling, digital forensics, and psychological evaluation collectively confirmed his direct involvement in each homicide. The court sentenced him to ten consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.

INTERPRETATION

The interpretation of the BTK Killer case provides significant insight into the psychological and behavioral dynamics of organized serial offenders. Scientific evaluation of Dennis Rader’s actions indicates a combination of psychopathic, narcissistic, and sadistic personality traits, which drove his need for control and domination. His meticulous planning, lack of empathy, and emotional detachment align with antisocial personality disorder characteristics.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the BTK Killer case demonstrates the essential role of forensic science, behavioral psychology, and technological advancements in solving long-standing criminal investigations. The integration of biological evidence, particularly DNA profiling, along with digital and psychological analysis, led to the accurate identification and conviction of Dennis Rader. The BTK investigation stands as a landmark example of how scientific methods and evidence-based practices ensure justice, accountability, and a deeper understanding of criminal psychology.

REFERENCES

www.google.com
www.wikipedia.org
www.chatgpt.com

Gunshot residue (GSR), also known as cartridge discharge residue (CDR), gunfire residue (GFR), or firearm discharge residue (FDR), consists of all of the particles that are expelled from the muzzle of a gun following the discharge of a bullet. It is principally composed of burnt and unburnt particles from the explosive primer, the propellant (gunpowder), stabilisers and other additives. The act of firing a bullet incites a highly pressurised, explosive reaction that is contained within the barrel of the firearm, which expels the bullet. This can cause the bullet, the barrel, or the cartridge to become damaged, meaning gunshot residue may also include metallic particles from the cartridge casing, the bullet jacket, as well as any other dirt or residue contained within the barrel that could have become dislodged.

Law enforcement commonly uses swabbing, adhesives and vacuums with very fine filters to collect GSR. They commonly swab the web of the non-firing hand to look for gunshot residue if they are suspected of having discharged a firearm themselves or were in close contact with one at the time of discharge. Hair and clothing also accumulate GSR; typically, a double-sided adhesive is used to sample areas that may have been exposed to such residue. It is also possible to use a swab moistened with 5% nitric acid for collection.

To determine if GSR is present in an area, presumptive tests, such as the modified Griess test and the sodium rhodizonate test, are performed. Any presumptive GSR samples are collected for confirmatory testing using instruments such as Scanning Electron Microscopy, dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX), Flame or Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.

 There are both inorganic and organic components in GSR. Organic GSR (OGSR) consists of organic compounds such as Nitroglycerine. Organic compounds can originate from the primer, propellants, lubricants or other additives used by manufacturers. Analysis of OGSR is not done with the same instrumentation as stated above; instead, techniques like Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectroscopy are used.

A graphic representation of the GSR left on a target when fired upon from varying ranges.

History

The detection of nitrates and nitrites for GSR has been around since the early 1900s. The first recorded use of paraffin wax as a lifting medium was done by Dr. Iturrioz in 1914 and was popularized in 1933 by Teodoro Gonzalez of the Mexico City Police Laboratory. The aptly named paraffin test is also referred to as the diphenylamine test, dermal nitrate test and the Gonzalez test. This test consisted of coating a suspect's hands with paraffin wax, allowing it to solidify and peeling it away before adding a diphenylamine/sulfuric acid reagent. The presence of dark blue spots is said to indicate a positive result. This is no longer used in casework due to the high number of false positives caused by the commonality of nitrates and nitrites in a variety of mundane products such as fertilisers.

In 1971 John Boehm presented some micrographs of gunshot residue particles found during the examination of bullet entrance holes using a scanning electron microscope. If the scanning electron microscope is equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detector, the chemical elements present in such particles, mainly lead, antimony and barium, can be identified.

In 1979 Wolten et al. proposed a classification of gunshot residue based on composition, morphology, and size. Four compositions were considered characteristic:

• Lead, Antimony and Barium
• Barium, calcium, and silicon
• Antimony
• Barium

The authors proposed some rules about chemical elements that could also be present in these particles.

Wallace and McQuillan published a new classification of the gunshot residue particles in 1984. They labelled as unique particles those that contain lead, antimony, and barium, or that contain antimony and barium. Wallace and McQuillan also maintained that these particles could contain only some chemical elements.

SEM-EDX results

A positive result using SEM-EDX spectroscopy will generate x-ray spectra characteristic of GSR, likely containing combinations of metals such as Pb-Sb-Ba or Sb-Ba. Spectra may also indicate the presence of Ca, S and Si but is not always indicative of GSR. GSR may be present when an individual discharged a firearm or was close by when a discharge occurred. GSR has been observed to undergo both secondary and tertiary transfers, meaning the presence of GSR may be attributed to the persistence of the residue and the unpredictability of human interaction.

A negative result on someone could mean they were near it but not close enough for gunshot residue to land on them, or it can mean that the gunshot residue deposited on them wore off. Gunshot residue can also be removed from surfaces by washing, wiping, or brushing it off, so a negative result cannot fully rule out a gun was not fired by the tested object or area. Expelled gunshot residue does not travel very far from the muzzle because the particles lack momentum. Depending on the type of fire arm and ammunition used, it will typically travel no farther than 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters) from the muzzle of the gun.

Matching gunshot residue to a specific source

If the ammunition used was specifically tagged in some way by special elements, it is possible to know the cartridge used to produce the gunshot residue. Inference about the source of gunshot residue can be based on the examination of the particles found on a suspect and the population of particles found on the victim, in the firearm or in the cartridge case, as suggested by the ASTM Standard Guide for gunshot residue analysis by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Advanced analytical techniques such as ion beam analysis (IBA), carried out after scanning electron microscopy, can support further information allowing one to infer about the source of gunshot residue particles. Christopher et al. showed as the grouping behaviour of different makes of ammunition can be determined using multivariate analysis. Bullets can be matched back to a gun using comparative ballistics.

Organic gunshot residue

The abbreviation OGSR is often used to distinguish the organic residues found after a discharge. Organic residues can come from propellants like nitrocellulose and trinitrotoluene, plasticisers like triacetin, stabilisers like diphenylamine and possible reaction products of said compounds. The persistence of these residues is quite low compared to inorganic GSR, with very little quantities of carryover (if any). Detection of OGSR becomes difficult a mere hour after the firing. The persistence of OGSR is subject to environmental factors like wind as well as the substrate it clings to. Organic gunshot residue can be analysed using methods such as micellar electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis (MEKC), High- performance liquid chromatography and gas-chromatography- mass spectroscopy.

Where is it found?

GSR mainly had to be looked at-

·         The hands, mainly present on the thumb, trigger finger and on the web on hands.

·         On the clothes of the victim if the person is being targeted.

·         Intermediate targets may also have GSR disposition.

·         Inside of Cartridge cases and barrels can have GSR. The surface of the barrels can also be examined for GSR.

·         Fired projectiles must also be examined for GSR.

Collection of GSR-

The Gunshot Residue are being collected by several methods-

·         Dry method

·         Wet method

·         Collecting Of Organic Residue

1.      Swabbing

2.      Tape Lifting

3.      Vaccum Lifting

Presumptive tests

Sodium rhodizonate lead test sticks

Presumptive testing always precedes analysis of a questioned sample. Most presumptive tests involve a chemical reaction that results in a colour change that is detectable with the plain eye. It is important to note that thorough documentation of the scene through notes, photographs, etc., must be done before any presumptive or confirmatory testing in order to maintain the chain of custody and avoid contamination.

The Griess test and the Walker test are two presumptive tests that can be used to determine if a questioned sample contains nitrites. The Walker test is used to determine GSR area on clothing using naphthylamine-sulfanilic acid soaked photograph paper. Red colouration appears when nitrite ions are present. A variant of the Griess test reagent is sulfanilamide and napthylamine in an acidic medium. The Modified Griess test detects nitrite compounds, which are a by-product of the combustion of gunpowder. Forensic examiners use this test to determine the gun to target distance. This test is performed first because it does not interfere with the later sodium rhodizonate test. The presence of nitrite ions is what triggers the colour change, and therefore, we do not consider this test to be indicative of GSR.

The sodium rhodizonate test can detect the presence of lead and barium; it results in a red or purple colour when lead is present in the tested area, and a reddish-brown colour when exposed to barium. It is an extremely sensitive, specific, and efficient method as it can obtain information on the origin of particulate debris, and it can be done on surfaces or objects. This test can't determine the precise distance of gun to target; however, it is often used around holes to determine if it is consistent with the passage of a bullet.

The Harrison and Gilroy method was introduced in 1959. It is a colorimetric test used to verify the presence of antimony, lead and/or barium. The test involves dampening a cloth with 0.1M hydrochloric acid (HCl), swabbing the item being analysed and allowing that to dry before subjecting it to various reagents. The sensitivities of the reagents used makes this test very unreliable and unrealistic for crime scene analysis.

Author: Ms. Shreya Dutt

Intern

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 (AFRS)

Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.

🌎 www.appliedforensicresearchsciences.in

📧 afrsciences@gmail.com

📞 +91-9926692487

What is Forensic Ballistics?

Forensic Ballistics is the branch of science dealing with the investigation of the firearms ammunition and the problems arising from their use.

A firearm is any weapon which discharges a missile by the expansive force of the gases produced by the burning of an explosive.

There are three main subtopics under Forensic Ballistics:

·         Internal Ballistics- refers to the activity or mechanism occurring inside the firearm.

·         External Ballistics- refers to the study of the motion of projectile after it leaves the gun barrel till the time it hits the target.

·         Terminal/Wound Ballistics- refers to the impact of the firearm once they hit the target (Terminal Ballistics) or living tissues (Wound Ballistics).

Terminal Ballistics:

Terminal ballistics is a sub-field of ballistics which deals with the study of the behaviour and effect of a projectile when it hits the target and transfers the energy to the target.. it can be subdivided into penetration potential, which is the capacity of a missile to penetrate various materials and Wound Ballistics, is the effect of projectile on the living tissue.

The minimum velocity to cause an impact, is known as the Threshold Velocity, required to penetrate the skin is 40-50m/s and for bone penetration it is 60m/s.

When a projectile strikes a human body, it depresses and compresses the skin, flesh and bone tissues underneath. The continued pressure stretches them beyond the elastic limits if the projectile has sufficient energy and creates a hole. The stretched skin regains its normal state after the hole is formed and the bullet is inside. The diameter of the hole on the skin, therefore appears, on the non-stretched skin somewhat smaller than the size of the projectile which created the wound, when it was stretched.

The projectile continues its onwards progress till it leaves the body through an exit hole, or, till its energy is spent beforehand, in overcoming the resistance. The projectile is found lodged at the end of the tunnel, in later cases.

Elements of Wound Ballistics:

Wound ballistics has following important elements

1. Nature of target.

2. Velocity of projectiles.

3. Constructional features of projectiles.

       4. Range.

The Target Site:

About 43% of the total body area covers body paris (organs, cavities, nerves, blood vessels, etc.) which are easily damaged.

A Likewise, the depth of tissue on the frontal side of the body is 0.6 cm only, whereas average depth us more than five times (3.3 cm) on the back side. Thus, a frontal attack is likely to cause more serious wounds than the injury from the back side.

The velocity

The energy of the projectile is proportional to square of the velocity (E=1/2mv²). If we double the velocity, the energy of the projectile becomes four times.

The wounding effect of velocity considerations can be studied into four velocity zones:

1. Velocities under 400m/s

No abnormal wounding phenomenon is observed. The projectile does not fragment or deform to any appreciable extent unless it strikes a bone.

2. Velocities from 400-600 m/s

·         lead bullets and expanding bullets start mushrooming. Extent of mushrooming depends upon the striking velocity and constructional material and features of the projectile

·         The tissue damage is greater because the cross-sectional area increases as the projectile progresses forward.

3. Velocities from 600-1100 m/s

·         The high velocity projectile creates a vacuum behind it. As it enters the body the air behind rushes at a terrific speed and disrupts the body tissues.

·         The body parts hit by the projectile themselves become effective secondary missiles and cause extensive damage

·         The projectile fragments and these fragments cause extensive damage

·         The gyratory motion is very high due to which the tissue that comes in contact with the projectile are set into motion and churned.

4. Velocities beyond 1100 m/s

The projectile compresses air in its front due to which it produces a shockwave. The intensity of shockwave depends upon the velocity of the projectile and the energy transferred by it to the target. It forms permanent cavity and temporary cavity.

A temporary cavity is formed when the surrounding tissues absorb the kinetic energy of the bullet. It is many times larger than the size of the projectile.

A permanent cavity is the actual cavity or the line followed by the bullets the trajectory or path inside the tissues.

The range

The increasing range of fire in addition to reducing the velocity of the projectile influences the wounding effect in the following ways:

1. The lighter ejecta is dispersed. It does not reach or enter the target.

2. The initial instability of the projectile is overcome.

The powder gases, smoke, semi burnt or unburnt powder residue, metallic particles, dirt and wads if any constitute lighter ejecta. They are important in the wounding effects only when the firearm is fired, pressed to the skin(contact wound) or from very close range (near contact wounds). The expansion of gases takes place inside the body.

Characteristics of firearm injuries:

ENTRY WOUND- The wounds have certain characteristics which permit their identification without difficulties, most of the times. The prominent features utilized for the purpose are

1. The wounds are circular or oval in most of the cases. Key hole wounds are also formed by wobbling bullets.

 2. The diameter of the entrance hole is, ordinarily slightly less than the diameter of the projectile creating the hole.

 3. The edges are compressed inward – they are inverted.

 4. A contusion ring is found around the wound in most of the times. The ring is dark red to bluish-black depending upon its age.

 5. The dirt or wipe ring is not always present but whenever it is present, it is a sure sign of an entry wound.

6. Burning of skin, flesh or singeing of hair is caused when the shot is fired from a close range. The scorched skin, when it is available, it identifies the entry wound.

 7. GSR deposits are from close range firing only. They also identify the entrance wound whenever they are available.

8. The presence of a muzzle impression around the wound.

9. Sometimes the bullet carries the GSR in its flight from the ejecta, from the barrel fouling and deposit on the edges or inside the entrance hole.

 Extraneous deposits around the wound are from the following sources

1. Propellant burned powder (smoke), semi-burnt and unburnt propellant.

2. Primer residue.

3. Projectile, Cartridge Case and barrel material (from fouling and bore scraping).

 4. Intermediate targets.

The extent of extraneous deposit depends upon

1. The weapon.

 2. The ammunition.

 3. The range.

 4. The angle of fire.

 5. The target characteristics.

CHARRING, SCORCHING, BURNING, SINGEING - These are the effects of flame or hot gases produced in the combustion of propellants. The charring is caused when the shot is fired from a very close range. The size, shape and extent are characteristic of the firearm and range. The Charring is often confused with the Blackening, Tattooing, Dirt Ring or even with Contusion Ring. The Charring is different from Blackening. The later can be removed with a cotton swab moistened with spirit while the former cannot be removed in this way.

 BLACKENING-The blackening is caused by the smoke deposits. The smoke particles are light. They do not travel afar. Therefore, smoke deposit i.e. blackening is limited to a short range. The colour of smoke is grey to black in black powder and light grey to dark grey in smokeless powder.

TATTOOING-The tattooing is also known as peppering or stippling. It is the deposit of unburnt or semi-burnt powder particles under the skin. Tattooing, ordinarily, cannot be removed with a swab.

DIRT RING OR PROJECTILE WIPE RING- The dirt ring is deposited by some projectile around the wound. The materials come from

1. The projectile may carry grease on them. The dirt gets collected on the grease which, in turn, gets deposited around the wound.

 2. Deposit of soot/GSR present on bullet. The projectile picks up the soot/GSR from the powder ejecta which rush past the projectiles inside or outside the barrel.

 3. Dirt due to intermediate target (clothes, mud walls etc.) or from the surface from which the projectile has ricocheted.

 4. In shot gun ammunition, the pellets and buck shots are rubbed with graphite. A small amount of graphite is carried by the projectiles which they deposit around the entry hole. The lead bullets may also blacken the edges of the entry wound.

 Foreign material

The projectile or their fragments and sometimes the wads are found inside the body, these may also indicate the nature of firearm used.

 CONTUSION- The edges of wound are contused by the impact of the projectile. The colour of contusion varies from reddish dark to bluish black. The contusions are in the form of a band around the wound and are often of uniform width. The tissues are ruptured and swollen.

EXIT WOUND-

All exit wounds, irrespective of range of firing, the following identifying features

1. They have no fixed shape or size. Usually they are larger than entry wound and are irregular.

2. The eversion of edges and the direction of pushed or pressed out flesh, indicate the exit wound.

 3. The presence of projectile, fixed in the exit wound.

 4. If the entry wound is established and a probe through this wound comes out of another wound. The later is obviously an exit wound.

Author: Ms. Jigisha Ash

Intern

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 (AFRS)

Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.

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