AFTE Store - Recognition of a 22 Long Rifle Squib Used in a Shooting

A suspect of an armed abduction was pursued into the bush by armed police. The suspect was armed with a cut-down .22 calibre rimfire rifle. Four hours after entering the bush, a shot was heard and the suspect was found with a wound to his left temple. He died two days later. The issues in contention included: whose firearm was used; and was it a case of suicide (or self-inflicted shot), or homicide by one of the policemen? It was alleged by the deceased’s family that one of the policeman who found the deceased had a grudge against him. The firing distance became a crucial issue with no close-range effects observed. A critical finding was that the shot had been a squib. The basis of this is discussed with a report on the projectile appearance, case markings, case measurements and incident report.