22 LR has ample energy to penetrate the human skull and has had military application in WWII and Vietnam primarily in covert assassination by close range PBI ( 17).
22 long rifle (LR) weapon system has sufficient kinetic energy (140 to 200 J) for solid ball projectiles to penetrate the human torso and stop under the elastic skin at the point where a larger caliber firearm would exit and perforate the torso ( 16). 22 caliber firearms and ammunition are widely available and frequently used in human assault with firearm ( 6). 22 caliber rimfire system is widely documented. With very high energy projectiles, massive skull fracture and displacement of the brain ( 15) has been described in human forensic medicine. In a histological review of 42 cases of fatal handgun penetrating brain injury the mechanism of death was consistent with acute intracranial pressure on the brain stem from the passage of the missile through the brain ( 14). Gunshot wound to the brain is known to involve the development of high pressures based on volume and speed of back splatter patterns ( 10) and pressure measurement in simulant and animal models ( 11– 13). The cranium has limited ability to stretch, when that limit is exceeded skull bones are torn apart along suture lines ( 8, 9). The lateral pressure of a missile in the brain encased in an intact cranium can create a temporary cavity of only limited size as brain tissue is forced into regions of less resistance such as the frontal sinus and various foramina of the skull. Soft tissue injury is caused by the formation of a permanent cavity due to direct tissue crushing by the projectile and tissue is also stretched by creation of a temporary cavity due to lateral pressure causing tissue expansion away from the moving projectile. The transference of kinetic energy of projectiles during soft tissue penetration has been extensively investigated. Current medical animal use ethics is in conflict with experiments using live animals and inducing penetrating brain injury ( 7) ongoing research tends to use models, other knowledge is gained by abattoir and killing for disease control studies.īiomechanical effect of bullet to the brain
In a series of 786 patients in the State of Maryland with gunshot wound to the head, 712 (91%) eventually died with 594 dying at the scene no data on the type of firearm was reported ( 2).
22 rimfire projectiles, and is most often fatal ( 6). Civilian gunshot wound to the head is commonly self-inflicted, most often utilizes low energy. In human medicine, ballistic penetrating brain injury (PBI) has a very high case fatality rate. Processing was halted in situations of significant wind and blowing snow (D. Wind speed was identified as a primary cause for weapon system failure presumably because of a combination projectile drift and decreased visibility. High-powered rifle and expanding projectile systems were employed and long distance over 100 m shots were taken.
In the commercial harvest of free ranging caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) on Southampton Island, Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada, head shot only was confirmed on the majority of harvested carcasses. Night shooting of kangaroo for commercial meat production has been reported to be able to achieve a 96% head-shot rate ( 5). Head-shooting free ranging ruminants for commercial meat or pest control is achievable. In feral pest animal control by firearm “head-shot” is the goal as it causes immediate loss of sensibility and death. Scientific literature on penetrating brain injury (PBI) originates largely from human military and civilian case studies ( 1, 2) and from experimental models ( 3, 4). Slaughterhouse stunning of animals using a captive bolt (CB) and field humane euthanasia by firearm utilize penetrative brain injury to induce immediate unconsciousness, respiratory arrest (apnea), and death. Afin d’assurer une blessure cérébrale pénétrante fatale dans des conditions de terrain, en tant qu’experts opérationnels, les vétérinaires doivent comprendre à fond l’anatomie de tous les animaux de la ferme et la pathophysiologie de la balistique terminale des armes afin de prendre les décisions appropriées sur le terrain lors de situations d’urgence. Les vétérinaires d’agences réglementaires seront responsables du bien-être animal en supervisant l’abattage d’urgence par balles des bovins. La mise-enjoue et le placement appropriés de balles de fusil résultent en mort immédiate, rendant ainsi cette méthode acceptable pour l’abattage humanitaire d’animaux. L’abattage par balles de fusil de bovins infectés ou en excès pour le marché est inévitable lors de la réponse à l’apparition d’une maladie exotique dans les pays exportant de grandes quantités d’animaux vivants. Atteinte de résultats humanitaires lors de l’abattage de bovins par balles de fusil II : Sélection de la cible.