Forming wound canal is one of the main signs of gunshot wound. Its features are related to the following differential diagnostic signs: presence of gunshot wound, its intravitality, prescription, direction of projectile (bullet) movement, power of used weapon, etc.

OBJECTIVE

To study the mechanisms of wound canal formation in gunshot injury, the pattern of damage to the biological tissues of its walls (mainly, blood vessels), the features of hemorrhages forming around it.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An analysis of special medical and criminalistic literature devoted to gunshot wound, materials (photo and video) which were available on specialized websites, as well as morphological studies of gunshot wounds caused in vivo and experimental postmortem injuries (on rabbits) was carried out. Sampling, grouping, frequency analysis and data comparison, light and electron microscopy of lesions were the study methods.

RESULTS

The maximum destructions of vasculature are observed closely to wound canal walls when a gunshot wound is formed. A hemorrhage is usually symmetric from the entry wound and asymmetric from the exit wound. Eccentricity of hemorrhages in the area of exit wounds s can serve as an additional sign for differential diagnosis of injuries. The severity of vessels’ trauma is reduced up to partial damage to only one of their walls with distance from wound canal walls. The vascular wall damage begins on its inner surface (intima). The greatest extent of damage in endothelial cells, forming the capillary walls, is in the furthest area from the center of wound canal.

CONCLUSION

The identified signs should be considered in forensic medical examinations of gunshot wounds, as well as in substantiating expert’s findings.