Ten years of molecular ballistics—a review and a field guide

Abstract

Molecular ballistics combines molecular biological, forensic ballistic, and wound ballistic insights and approaches in the description, collection, objective investigation, and contextualization of the complex patterns of biological evidence that are generated by gunshots at biological targets. Setting out in 2010 with two seminal publications proving the principle that DNA from backspatter collected from inside surfaces of firearms can be retreived and successfully be analyzed, molecular ballistics covered a lot of ground until today. In this review, 10 years later, we begin with a comprehensive description and brief history of the field and lay out its intersections with other forensic disciplines like wound ballistics, forensic molecular biology, blood pattern analysis, and crime scene investigation. In an application guide section, we aim to raise consciousness to backspatter traces and the inside surfaces of firearms as sources of forensic evidence. Covering crime scene practical as well as forensic genetic aspects, we introduce operational requirements and lay out possible procedures, including forensic RNA analysis, when searching for, collecting, analyzing, and contextualizing such trace material. We discuss the intricacies and rationales of ballistic model building, employing different tissue, skin, and bone simulants and the advantages of the “triple-contrast” method in molecular ballistics and give advice on how to stage experimental shootings in molecular ballistic research. Finally, we take a look at future applications and prospects of molecular ballistics.

Interpol review of forensic firearm examination 2019–2022

“…The term was coined by the authors and encompasses the study of biological trace evidence generated by gunshots. One study starts with a description and history of the field [ 147 ]. It continuous with a field guide that focusses on backspatter that can be generated by bullets and ends with a look at future applications and prospects of molecular ballistics.…”

On the Identification of Body Fluids and Tissues: A Crucial Link in the Investigation and Solution of Crime

“…CNS tissue (brain and spinal cord) is highly important to include in the assays because of the often-lethal consequences. Other organs such as liver, heart, kidney, lung, trachea, intestine, stomach, spleen can be included for chest and abdominal injuries, but blood, muscular tissue and/or adipose are informative for injuries anywhere on a body [223][224][225].…”

Modern Global Scientific Trends of Forensic Research Methods in Cases of Firearm Trauma

“…Зокрема, J. Euteneuer і співавт. (2019, 2021) констатували важливе значення молекулярної балістики, особливо під час дослідження так званого феномену «backspatter» -зворотного (в бік, протилежний польоту кулі) розбризкування біологічного матеріалу з вхідної вогнепальної рани [29,30]. У своїх працях ці дослідники довели високу доказовість застосування методів молекулярної балістики під час вивчення зворотного розбризкування, зокрема на так званих стандартизованих моделях голови -репродукція людського черепа, вкритого тонким шаром спеціальної гуми та наповненого зсередини резервуаром з кров'ю, акриловою фарбою та контрастною речовиною, а також желатином як імітатором мозкової речовини [30,31].…”