Distinction between entrance and exit wounds by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

doi:10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.07.003

Legal Medicine

Volume 22, September 2016, Pages 5-8

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.07.003 Get rights and content

Highlights

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We investigated residual elements around the gunshot wounds in two autopsy cases using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX).
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The detection of metallic elements, such as lead, copper and antimony, may be useful for distinguish between entrance and exit wounds.

Abstract

We investigated gunshot wounds in two autopsy cases using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). Lead and copper were detected in the entrance wound of one case and lead, antimony, and copper were detected in that of the other case. In the exit wounds of both cases, lead, antimony, and copper were below detection limits. These findings indicate that the detection of metallic elements, such as lead, antimony, and copper, which are found in bullets, may be useful for differentiating entrance from exit wounds using EDX.

Graphical abstract

EDX spectrum of the skin samples from Case 1 (blue line, wound in anterior chest wall; red line, wound in back region).

Introduction

The examination of gunshot wounds is important in forensic practice for reconstruction of the shooting incident [1], [2], [3]. The distinction between entrance and exit wounds is a one of the main means of estimating the range of fire or direction of the shooting [1], [2], [3]. The distinction between entrance and exit wounds is determined by macroscopic findings, based on morphological characteristics in typical cases. However, it is not always easy, and an atypical wound may be observed in some cases.

Because lead (Pb) concentration around entrance wounds is higher than that around exit wounds, the quantification of inorganic Pb concentration is used as a supporting measure for the distinction between the two [4]. Ohtsuji et al. use atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), a sensitive instrument, but sample preparation methods are destructive and extensive. A high degree of metal deposition is typically observed in entrance wounds [5]. It has been reported that energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) is useful for the detection of metallic elements in paraffin-embedded tissue [6]. EDX is a simple and non-destructive way to detect various elements in various types of samples [7], [8], [9], [10].

In the present study, we attempted to use EDX to distinguish between entrance and exit wounds by direct measurement of skin samples without special preparation.

Section snippets

Case history

Case 1. A man in his seventies was found dead in his room. There was a handgun beside him. At autopsy, two gunshot wounds were found, one on the anterior chest wall and the other on the back. There was a round-shaped 1.7 × 0.9 cm skin defect with a dark ring of soot surrounded by a rim of abrasion on the anterior chest wall (Fig. 1a). Rupture of the heart was observed in an intracorporeal channel in the thoracic cavity; and there was a slight irregular perforation of 0.5 cm in diameter, with a

Results and discussion

We show the EDX spectra of skin samples of Cases 1 and 2 in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, respectively. In Case 1, Pb and copper (Cu) were detected in the anterior chest wound, but both Pb and Cu were below the detection limit in the wound skin from the back region (Fig. 3). In Case 2, Pb, antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), and Cu were detected in the anterior chest wound, but they were below the detection limit in the back region (Fig. 4). Bullets usually contain Pb, Sb, and barium in the primer, and Cu and zinc in

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent spectrometry (EDX) is a straightforward and convenient technique for detecting various elements that requires no special sample preparation [8–10]. It has been widely used in the field of industrial and environmental analysis [9,11] and is also applicable for toxicological examination, diagnosis of seawater drowning, identification of lethal weapons, distinction between entrance and exit wounds and to attain a pathological diagnosis in forensic medicine [10,12–14]. We have previously reported the usefulness of EDX analysis for the detection of Fe and Cu in electrocution autopsy cases and in experimental electrical injury [15–17].
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The findings of histological examination and the results of energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) analysis were compared to identify skin metallization in experimental electrical injury. Rats were divided into three experimental groups (n = 5, each group): control, current exposure for five seconds, and current exposure for ten seconds. A relatively high peak of copper, which was used as an electrical conductor, was detected in formalin-fixed skin samples of the two current exposure groups by EDX. There was a significant increase of the specific X-ray intensity in the two current exposure groups compared to the control group. On histological examination, epidermal nuclear elongation was observed in all samples of the two current exposure groups. However, deposition of metal was observed in two samples of each current exposure group. Metallization is an important finding for the diagnosis of electrocution. The present results suggest that EDX analysis is useful for the proof of metallization in electrocution, even where it is not identified on morphological examination.
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Application of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDX) in forensics – titanium, silicon and magnesium in the stomach contents as good indicators for ingestion of pharmaceutical tablets
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Short CommunicationDistinction between entrance and exit wounds by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Highlights

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Case history

Results and discussion

Conflict of interest

Leg. Med.

Leg. Med.

Forensic Sci. Int.

Leg. Med.

Knight’s Forensic Pathology

Forensic ballistics: Injuries from gunshots, explosives and arrows

Forensic Medicine Fundamentals and Perspectives

Short Communication
Distinction between entrance and exit wounds by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry