Realities of gunshot wounds. What do bullets do in bodies?

In this introductory lesson, Dr. Shertz teaches the myths and realities of gunshot wounds. If you are representing a client where there is a shooting involved, you need to educate yourself on these topics to best make your case to a jury.

This block discusses the reality of gunshot wounds. What do bullets do in bodies? The material is presented both from the standpoint of being shot, as well as shooting someone else. There are a lot of myths surrounding gunshot wounds and this block aims to apply science to the issue. Learn more about wounding models, ballistic gelatin, and the history of modern wound ballistics.

Resources discussing forensic ballistics are not difficult to find. Discussions of how weapons operate, how bullets are identified and linked to the weapon they were fired from are critical to presenting a case involving a shooting in court are critical. Also critical but harder to find resources for is the understanding of what bullets do to bodies: how do wounds occur, are there differences in what different types of rounds/bullets cause, why? Why does it matter? In a reenactment, knowing where the assumptions are and how to question them is critical: where was the shooter, where was the victim, how do we know? Just as visiting the scene is a critical part of completing counsel’s understanding of what occurred, so too is understanding what actually happens when someone is shot.

“I think any attorney who has a shooting case would find it helpful. Even the part that didn’t relate to my case helped me because it reinforced the basic science at the core. Also, Mike is a great speaker so it moved fast and held my interest. ” – Lisa Maxfield, Criminal Defense Attorney

This course has been approved by the Oregon State Bar for 1.25 hours of General CLE credit.

Note: If you are NOT an Oregon attorney seeking CLE credit, please sign up for the standard Wound Ballistics Selection.