Evaluating the effect of barrel length on pellet distribution patterns of sawn-off shotguns.

Maitre, M; Chiaravalle, A; Horder, M; Chadwick, S; Beavis, A

Evaluating the effect of barrel length on pellet distribution patterns of sawn-off shotguns.

Maitre, M

Chiaravalle, A Horder, M Chadwick, S

Beavis, A

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Publisher:: ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Forensic Sci Int, 2021, 320, pp. 110685
Issue Date:: 2021-03

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Maitre, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9383-6936
dc.contributor.author	Chiaravalle, A
dc.contributor.author	Horder, M
dc.contributor.author	Chadwick, S https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2006-9841
dc.contributor.author	Beavis, A
dc.date.accessioned	2022-01-31T23:14:19Z
dc.date.available	2021-01-07
dc.date.available	2022-01-31T23:14:19Z
dc.date.issued	2021-03
dc.identifier.citation	Forensic Sci Int, 2021, 320, pp. 110685
dc.identifier.issn	0379-0738
dc.identifier.issn	1872-6283
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/154009
dc.description.abstract	In recent years, sawn-off shotguns have been regularly encountered in firearm-related incidents. Shotgun represents a community threat due to their ability to be shortened in order to improve their concealability. In practice, forensic scientists and investigators may be asked to determine if a shotgun used in a particular event might have been shortened based on the pellet distribution. To investigate the effect of altering the barrel length on pellet distribution, five 12-gauge shotguns were progressively shortened. Each shotgun was assessed at six barrel lengths and a single discharge of No. 4 shot shotshell ammunition was fired at a fixed fabric target. The shotguns were positioned at six different distances from target and experiments conducted in triplicate. The fabric targets containing pellet pattern underwent data analysis to calculate the pellet distribution area. At short distances from target (≤ 1.0 m), the pellet penetration was observed as a single entry point as the pellets did not have a sufficient flight time to spread from each other. For distances of 2.5 m, 5 m and 10 m, pellet penetration patterns were observed and a quantitative analysis was performed on the samples containing pellet distribution patterns. At each of these distances, it was detected that there was a noticeable increase in pellet distribution area between the unaltered shotgun and altered barrel lengths for all shotguns. The distance from the target as well as the presence of a choke in the shotgun's barrel was found to have a greater impact on the pellet distribution than the barrel length.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Forensic Sci Int
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110685
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject.classification	Legal & Forensic Medicine
dc.title	Evaluating the effect of barrel length on pellet distribution patterns of sawn-off shotguns.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	320
utslib.location.activity	Ireland
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Corporate Services)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CFS - Centre for Forensic Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-01-31T23:14:17Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	320

Abstract:

In recent years, sawn-off shotguns have been regularly encountered in firearm-related incidents. Shotgun represents a community threat due to their ability to be shortened in order to improve their concealability. In practice, forensic scientists and investigators may be asked to determine if a shotgun used in a particular event might have been shortened based on the pellet distribution. To investigate the effect of altering the barrel length on pellet distribution, five 12-gauge shotguns were progressively shortened. Each shotgun was assessed at six barrel lengths and a single discharge of No. 4 shot shotshell ammunition was fired at a fixed fabric target. The shotguns were positioned at six different distances from target and experiments conducted in triplicate. The fabric targets containing pellet pattern underwent data analysis to calculate the pellet distribution area. At short distances from target (≤ 1.0 m), the pellet penetration was observed as a single entry point as the pellets did not have a sufficient flight time to spread from each other. For distances of 2.5 m, 5 m and 10 m, pellet penetration patterns were observed and a quantitative analysis was performed on the samples containing pellet distribution patterns. At each of these distances, it was detected that there was a noticeable increase in pellet distribution area between the unaltered shotgun and altered barrel lengths for all shotguns. The distance from the target as well as the presence of a choke in the shotgun's barrel was found to have a greater impact on the pellet distribution than the barrel length.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/154009