THE APPLICABLE VALUE OF 3D MODELING IN THE ASPECT OF FORENSIC MEDICAL DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSTICS OF THE TYPE OF A TRAUMATIC TOOL IN INJURIES FROM FIREARMS AND APPROXIMATE TO IT BY ITS CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Zmiyevska Yuliia , Savka Іvan , Baluk Ihor , Hryniuk Vitalii , Bizer Andrii 
Published: August 2023

Implementation of up-to-date evidenced-based research methods is rather important in the process of conducting forensic expertise. One of them is 3D-modeling of body injuries of various genesis. The method has been widely applied into theory and practice of forensic medicine both by Ukrainian and foreign scientists. The article demonstrates new possibilities during making differential diagnostics of a traumatic tool type, which become informative due to the application of 3D modeling in the process of examination of injuries from firearms or other weapon approximate to it by its characteristics.

Aim of the work. To improve the process of forensic differential diagnostics of the type of a traumatic tool by means of 3D-modelling of body injuries caused by small-caliber firearms or other weapon approximate to it by its characteristics, to create opportunities for the implementation of 3D-modelling techniques in the everyday practical work of forensic medical experts and forensic criminologists with the possibility of further adding the obtained results to the materials of criminal proceedings.

Materials and methods. The material of the research was the results of experimental study when fired from small-caliber firearms and a gun for firing Flaubert cartridges. At the same time, measurements were made both by traditional measuring technique and in the process of 3D-modeling of the entrance gunshot wound on the skin of a pig and on the side of the subcutaneous fat tissue and the wound channel at its various intervals in ballistic plasticine Roma Plastilina №1, produced in the USA, used for ballistic tests according to NIJ, HOSDB standards. The results obtained were processed by means of the common methods of variation statistics applicable in medicine.

Results. The study presents the major parameters and determines interdependence between the parameters when fired from a gun for firing Flaubert cartridges and small-caliber firearms, and morphological signs of gunshot injuries. Direct moderate and strong correlations are found between the initial speed, kinetic and specific energy of the bullet, and the length of the wound channel, diameter of the entrance wound, diameter of the wound channel in its middle portion and on exit measured by means of traditional measuring methods and those discovered in the process of their 3D-modeling (р≤0,05).

Conclusions. The use of modern 3D-modeling techniques in the practice of forensic medical examination makes it possible to create 3D-models of both individual components of gunshot damage and the wound channel as a whole.

At the same time, it becomes possible to study individual elements of gunshot damage and measure their sizes with significantly increased accuracy, store and re-analyze them if necessary.

As a result, we get an improvement in the process of performing forensic medical examinations in cases of gunshot injuries with the possibility of conducting differential diagnosis of the type of traumatic projectile, studying new signs of gunshot injuries, increasing the visibility and objectivity of forensic medical conclusions during such examinations.