Evaluation of Wounding Potential of Florbert Weapon

Abstract

Many types of projectiles exist, with various calibres and design. Such as the pistol caliber 9 mm , .45 ACP, 40 SW or rifle caliber, 7.65x39, 223 Rem or 308 Win. Standard ammunition is well described in professional publications from the point of view of wounding potential but this does not apply to smaller calibres such as florbert projectiles (caliber 6 mm). The article deals with the evaluation of wounding potential of florbert weapons with the support of ballistic experiments. Such experiments consist in shooting at test blocks made of ballistic gelatine with selected florbert weapon (handheld system - rimfire gun). Radial crack method and wounding profile procedure have been applied and obtained results have been then compared with photographs taken by a high-speed camera. Final conclusions have been made after qualitative evaluation. The observed maximum width of the temporary e cavity in muscle substitution is 13.3 mm and 16.6 mm in the kidney substitution. The bullet penetrated into the replacement material at an impact velocity of 123.5 ms after passing through it at 97 ms. The bullet handed 5.11 J of its energy. Based on the information obtained by the experiment, it can be said that the injury caused by the Florbert weapon can cause death. Resulting knowledge is useful e.g. for physicians or forensic experts specialised in the ballistics of biological tissue wounding.