The Effect of Clothing on Gunshot Wounds in Gelatine: The Naked Truth

Abstract

There is a paucity of literature regarding the effect of clothing on gunshot wounding patterns. In this paper the effect of a military clothing layer compared to its absence on patterns of gunshot wounding was investigated using calibrated 10% gelatine and two types of military ammunition: 7.62x39mm and 5.45x39mm. In total 18 blocks of 10% gelatin were used, 12 shot by 7.62x39mm rounds (6 with a clothing layer and 6 without) and 6 shot by 5.45x39mm rounds (3 with a clothing layer and 3 without). Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) issued military uniform was used to provide the clothing layer. Samples were analysed with high speed video and dissection, and compared using appropriate statistical techniques. Results showed no significant effect of a MTP clothing layer on wounding patterns in gelatine blocks with either ammunition type when compared with unclothed gelatine blocks.