Shored bullet entry wounds: key practical insights in aid of shooting investigations

Abstract

“Foreshoring” is a rarely examined phenomenon in shooting incidents and occurs when a bullet traverses an intermediate surface that is firmly pressed against the body prior to skin penetration. Building upon the only experimental study available to date, published in 1980, this empirical investigation systematically evaluated the macroscopic features of shored bullet entry wounds produced using a range of commonly encountered shoring materials and bullet types relevant to forensic casework. Porcine skin samples mounted in a custom-designed experimental apparatus were used to generate shored entry wounds, which were subsequently compared with control wounds created in the absence of a shoring surface. The influence of varying downward forces on wound morphology was also assessed. Statistically significant macroscopic differences between shored and standard bullet entry wounds have been identified, revealing novel wound profiles and underlying mechanisms. Findings demonstrate that downward force does not alter the macroscopic morphology of shored-entry wounds, and even minimal separation between the skin and the supporting surface produces wound characteristics distinct from those of true shoring. The study also clarifies previous misconceptions, including a masking effect in close-range shots where gunshot residue may obscure key wound features. While presenting novel insights concerning shored gunshot entry wounds for practical forensic caseworks, the findings of this study highlight that the accurate recognition of shored-entry wounds is essential for reconstructing shooting incidents, interpreting wound patterns, and preventing misclassification in medicolegal investigations.