[A method for the determination of spatial orientation of wound canals caused by gunshot bullets to be applied in corpse examination].

A new approach to the determination of spatial orientation of wound canals caused by gunshot bullets is proposed and substantiated; its application for the purpose of forensic medical expertise is described. The direction of penetrating wound canals in three dimensions was determined by measuring the distance of the input and output wound holes from the level of the soles, anterior and posterior midlines, and the posterior body surface; the results of the measurements were used to construct triangles. The parameters thus obtained allowed the spatial orientation of the wound canals to be determined in three dimensions for the subsequent judgment about the relative direction of the gun barrel with respect to the human body at the time of the shot and the objective expert conclusion concerning the circumstances of firearm-related injuries.