On the effect of decomposition processes on fired bullet striae and post-mortem interval estimates.

Publication Type:
Thesis
Issue Date:
2024
Full metadata record
Most firearm related homicides involve the deceased being forensically examined within a day or two, however, there are times when bodies have been examined and the fired components removed several days or weeks after death, when the body is in an advanced state of decomposition. This project aims to determine at what approximate time after death the fired bullets can no longer be identified to each other, which may assist investigators with an estimated time-of-death. There have been no known studies completed of this type under Australian conditions. Fired copper jacketed bullets were exposed to a human donor in cool conditions and a human donor in warm conditions. These bullets underwent manual microscopic examinations by examiners across Australia. Results have indicated that the bullets corrode quickly in warm conditions, compared to bullets exposed to decomposition in cooler conditions.
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