Determination of firing distance and firing angle by neutron activation analysis in a case involving gunshot wounds.

This paper reports the determination of the firing distance and a method for the evaluation of the firing angle in a fatal incident caused by two gunshots. Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) was used to determine the Sb pattern around the bullet entrance holes on a garment of the victim, and around bullet holes produced by different shots on test targets from the gun and ammunition under investigation. The calibration curves obtained at various distances and firing angles enabled the determination of the firing distances and angles of the crime shots with a standard deviation of +/- 2 cm and +/- 5 degrees, respectively.