Evaluation of the backspatter generation and wound profiles of an anatomically correct skull model for molecular ballistics

The muzzle to target distance -staining inside different parts of the firearm barrel

Biological traces inside firearm barrels were observed as a result of contact shots to the head. The present study was conducted to investigate the influence of the muzzle to target distance on staining inside the anterior and posterior part of firearm barrels. Ninety-nine shots were fired to so-called reference cubes (10% gelatine, 12 cm edge length, embedded paint-blood-pad) using three current handguns. Shot range was varied from contact to 50 cm distance. High-speed cameras recorded external backspatter. Endoscopic examination assessed visible staining along the barrel. Each two swabbings were gathered from the anterior and the posterior part of the barrel. The first swabs were submitted to quantitative PCR, the second ones to DNA-RNA-co-extraction. Thorough mechanical and chemical cleaning was performed to avoid any contamination which was controlled by negative zero swabs after each cleaning. In single shots up to 50 cm distance, minimal, but DNA-positive sporadic traces were detected inside the barrel in vicinity of the muzzle. Visible complex staining varying in extent was observed in the anterior barrel part for 10 cm or less distance in dependence of the calibre. The posterior part showed detectable traces only after close range shots (< 5 cm). Generally staining inside the barrel decreased from the muzzle to the rear end, which correlated with the yield of DNA. Some contact shots did not cause any staining in the posterior part of the barrel despite massive external backspatter. Blood-specific miRNA was primarily found where DNA was detected. This experience encourages to take a second swab for RNA analysis. The amount of nucleic acids in the barrel at varying muzzle to target distances is subject to large variations between individual shots and therefore appears not suitable for a reliable determination of the shot distance in a particular case on its own. Instead, shot range estimation should also take into account morphology and distribution of traces inside the barrel.

Nothing but hot air?-On the molecular ballistic analysis of backspatter generated by and the hazard potential of blank guns

Blank cartridge guns are prevalent especially in countries with laws restricting access to conventional firearms, and it is a common misconception that these weapons are harmless and only used as toys or for intimidation. However, although their harming potential is well-documented by numerous reports of accidents, suicides, and homicides, a systematic molecular biological investigation of traces generated by shots from blank cartridges at biological targets has not been done so far. Herein, we investigate the occurrence and analyzability of backspatter generated by shots of different types of blank cartridge guns firing different types of blank ammunition at ballistic gelatin model cubes doped with human blood and radiological contrast agent soaked into a spongious matrix and covered with three different variants of skin simulants. All skin simulants were penetrated, and backspatter was created in 100% of the shots in amounts sufficient for forensic short tandem repeat (STR) typing that resulted in the correct identification of the respective blood donor. Visible backspatter was documented on the muzzle and/or inside the barrel in all cases, and in 75% of cases also on the outer surfaces and on the shooter’s hand(s). Wound cavities were measured and ranged between 1 and 4.5 cm in depth. Discussing our findings, we provide recommendations for finding, recovering, and analyzing trace material from blank guns, and we demonstrate the considerable hazard potential of these devices, which is further emphasized by the presentation of a comprehensive overview of the pertinent literature on injuries inflicted by blank guns.

Ten years of molecular ballistics-a review and a field guide

Molecular ballistics combines molecular biological, forensic ballistic, and wound ballistic insights and approaches in the description, collection, objective investigation, and contextualization of the complex patterns of biological evidence that are generated by gunshots at biological targets. Setting out in 2010 with two seminal publications proving the principle that DNA from backspatter collected from inside surfaces of firearms can be retreived and successfully be analyzed, molecular ballistics covered a lot of ground until today. In this review, 10 years later, we begin with a comprehensive description and brief history of the field and lay out its intersections with other forensic disciplines like wound ballistics, forensic molecular biology, blood pattern analysis, and crime scene investigation. In an application guide section, we aim to raise consciousness to backspatter traces and the inside surfaces of firearms as sources of forensic evidence. Covering crime scene practical as well as forensic genetic aspects, we introduce operational requirements and lay out possible procedures, including forensic RNA analysis, when searching for, collecting, analyzing, and contextualizing such trace material. We discuss the intricacies and rationales of ballistic model building, employing different tissue, skin, and bone simulants and the advantages of the “triple-contrast” method in molecular ballistics and give advice on how to stage experimental shootings in molecular ballistic research. Finally, we take a look at future applications and prospects of molecular ballistics.

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

In molecular ballistics, where traces originating from the use of firearms against biological targets are investigated, "backspatter" traces are of particular importance. This biological material comprising blood and tissue from the victim is propelled back from the bullet entry site towards the direction of the shooter and can consolidate and persist on the inner and outer surfaces of the firearm, from where it can be collected and analyzed. Thus, a connection between the weapon and the victim can be established solely by molecular biological trace analysis. For the criminalistic investigation of gun-related crimes, the determination of the distance between the weapon and the victim can be of critical importance in reconstructing the circumstances of a crime. 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 from 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 varied 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 and the condition of the wound channel could be established.