A Study on Impact of Pellets on Different Targets- A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Background: Forensic investigators often comes across cases where the projectile is found in severely
damaged condition, fragmented, or not recovered from the victim or the scene of crime. Analysis of entry
and exit hole becomes essential to determine the calibre or type of projectile used to aid investigation.
Purpose: The present study was performed to study impact made by lead and copper pellets fired from
Hammerli AR 20 7.5 Joules where targets used were fabric (cotton and silk), glass (sodalime glass, textured
and privacy pane) and wood (MDF and plywood).
Procedure: The current study was performed using fabric (cotton and silk), glass (sodalime glass, textured
and privacy pane) and wood (MDF and plywood) by firing pellets firing at10 metres.
Main findings: The fibres protruded outwards around margin of entry hole. The diameter of entry hole, exit
hole and penetration depth was consistent among the same type of target.
Conclusion: Post analysis of the present data was done to study the influence of lead and copper pellets
on wood, cloth and glass on entry and exit holes. However, it was found that in both cases (i.e., entry and
exit holes), the target groups have a significant difference but in case of pellets of same calibre, there is an
insignificant difference with entry and exit holes.