LRN, FMJ, JHP/SJSP and STHP forensics

[Puncha]

I am currently writing a short story/screen play for submission to a TV station's programme manager. They're going to do a murder mystery drama series.

In the interest of technical accuracy (i'm doing a episode where a jealous wife murders her husband using a black market bought handgun) how well can the following types of rounds be traced back to the handguns used? I'm debating whether to have the wronged wife wield a medium frame .38 cal revolver, old rusty long barrelled .357 magnum or walther PPK .380.

So considering the following guns:

i) .38 cal S&W model 10, ii) Walther PPK .380, iii) .357 Mag taurus model 66

Firing the following ammo:

i) Standard velocity LRN (.38 158gr LRN for the revolvers)
ii) Standard velocity 95gr FMJ for the PPK
iii) 124gr .38 +p SJSP from both revolvers
iv) 110gr standard velocity Winchester STHP .38 from both revolvers
v) 85gr STHP from the PPK
vi) any 90gr JHP from the PPK

which round and gun combo would yield the least chance of a ballistics CSI maing a round/barrel match?

 

[suemarkp]

I'd say which ever one over mushrooms or totally fragments. I don't think that will happen to any of those loads. For what you listed, I'd say its a toss up between the 85gr 380 STHP or the 110gr 30 Special STHP.

Another option would be the 95gr FMJ that totally passes through the target and they never recover the bullet.

 

[Old Fuff]

A revolver is unlikely to leave an ejected case, so that would leave investigators with one less thing to examine for marks on the primer, case head, or some left by the extractor or ejector on a pistol.

Rifling will leave marks on either a jacketed or lead bullet, but the striations are usually clearer on the softer lead bullet. On the other hand a knowledgeable villain could easily alter the bore so that the next fired bullet wouldn't match the one recovered at the crime scene or the victim's body.

 

[John Parker]

It was Colonel Mustard, in the parlor, with the candlestick.

 

[Oyeboten]

What difference would it make anyway, unless Forensics had 'the' gun she used, to match the projectile's and or Shell Casing's marks to? And to somehow tie the Gun to her having used it for the 'murder'?


Forensics postulating a ".38 Special"...or 'PPK' or as may be, based on terminal ballistic's evidence...means nothing...unless they have that very Gun with her fingerprints/blood/dna on it, or other substaniative association putting her at the crime scene at the right time.


Also...the phrase 'Black Market Gun'...is an odd phrase to elect...what does that mean?


People in possession of intact Civil Rights, are free you know, to sell or purchase a Hand Gun or Rifle or Shotgun in a free Market...with nothing illegal or 'Black Market' about it.


If I buy a used Lawn Mower or MoPed or Car from you at your Yard Sale...is it a 'Black Market' Lawn Mower? MoPed? Car?


Really, she should kill him by frequent allusions and sighs and veiled complaints about how he does not make enough money, about how she gave him the 'best' years of her life, how he never, always, ect...it takes longer than a Bullet to the Brain, but, it's usually just as effective, and no forensics or detetives or other potential legal inconveniences for her, either...

 

[Quoheleth]

I would say, based on what I've seen on TV, that you're overthinking the situation. Most of the time, the story has the details wrong anyway. That does't mean you shouldn't strive for accuracy, but don't over-do it as most viewers won't get it anyway. Too, if it has to be a murder mystery, why use a gun? Why help perpetuate the myths that "Guns kill people" when it's people who kill people? (Or, use that line!)

But to answer your question, a revolver would be a good mystery weapon as it leaves no case to trace. Too, there are so many Model 10s (from its M&P beginnings, well over 1 million guns), that adds to the level of intrigue - how to find the right one. Or, play with people's minds, and have the BG use a model 19 but shoot a .38 Special out of it.

You can't use a Taurus. Everyone knows it would FTF, lock-up, blow up, or some other malfunction would occur, thus not allowing your BG to commit the murder. By default, you have to use one of your other choices

Q

 

[NG VI]

Really, she should kill him by frequent allusions and sighs and veiled complaints about how he does not make enough money, about how she gave him the 'best' years of her life, how he never, always, ect...it takes longer than a Bullet to the Brain, but, it's usually just as effective, and no forensics or detetives or other potential legal inconveniences for her, either...

Oyeboten can I take this for my new sig line?

 

[heron]

There are shotshells . . . also frangible ammo . . . use one of those only if you do not want the weapon traced and connected. Then, your detectives would need a different route to solving the crime. Could be a refreshing change.

Keep thinking.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Glasser safety slugs would fit the bill. They are light, fast, and supposedly they make for a quick stop, but as soon as the bullet strikes something hard (like a bone) the jacket comes apart and the lead shot which makes up the bullets core disperses.

 

[John Parker]

An unjacketed .22 works very well. Buy the gun locally in a private transaction, do the deed, take it apart, dump it piece by piece. It's not messy and yet it's highly effective.

 

[Oyeboten]

Really...the only 'lethally' jealous women I have been privledged to know, had worked themselves into a psychotic state over their own illicit affairs, and disingenues, which were unknown to him, and were insisting he'd been 'unfaithful' (when he had not been)...and were ready to kill him over it.

Or, were all about power at any cost, for the sake of power, with affairs of their own, or anyone else's, being incidental...or means to an end.


Which is one reason anyway, why a man does well to consider very c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y, the wisdom of instructing erstwhile inexperienced wives, girlfriends, fiances, in Firearm's use or proficiency...especially if she has shown any inclination toward generating contentions based on subterfuge, pretext or lure.


She - "Would you still love me, if I was old and fat and and drooling and covered in Warts?"

He - "To me dear...you already are..."




Can I help write this?



Lol...

 

[Onmilo]

It was Colonel Mustard, in the parlor, with the candlestick.

Yeah, no kidding.
Which is more lethal.
A Bushmaster snake or a Cobra snake????