BODY INJURIES CAUSED BY SHRAPNEL FROM THE EXPLOSION OF OF-843B 120 MM MORTAR AMMUNITION

Abstract

Both conventional and terrorist weapons are designed to produce multiple wounds with the maximum number of casualties. Fragments are still the most common cause of wounds in armed combat. On today’s battlefield, up to 90% of casualties are secondary to fragmentation wounds. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the shrapnel produced by the OF-843B 120 mm mortar shell on the human body. Our paper includes photographic and Xray footage of the conducted experiment and its effects on the human body. The conclusion of the study is that fragments generated by the detonation of OF-843B mortar ammunition at a distance of 10 meters cause deep (up to 25 cm), extensive, differently shaped temporary cavity channels containing multiple fragments of various shapes and sizes.