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NEWS |
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Dateline
- December 17, 2006
Findings of initial ballistics analysis relating
to unknown sailor
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Ballistic
analysis of a small piece of metal discovered in the skull of
remains recovered from Christmas Island has revealed that the
fragment is consistent with a piece of shrapnel, not a bullet
as earlier thought. The remains were recovered from Christmas
Island in October and are believed to be those of a sailor from
the ill-fated HMAS SYDNEY II, which sank with all hands on 19
November 1941.
Earlier advice, based on visual and x-ray inspections by a forensic
expert, while the object was still embedded in the skull, suggested
the size and shape of the piece of metal, resembled that of a
small calibre round, which had been disfigured by impact, however,
this has now been ruled out by forensic, ballistic analysis.
“The official findings of the analysis, conducted by a forensics
ballistics analyst and recently received by the Royal Australian
Navy, indicate that the object is a ferrous based fragment consistent
with a shell fragment from a larger shell or projectile,”
Mr Billson said.
“According to the forensic ballistics analyst, the object
is not the type of metal used in small calibre rounds, nor does
it carry any of the other traits or markings of a fired bullet
or small arms ammunition.”
The fragment, which has been removed from the skull, is being
subjected to further analysis by the Australian War Memorial and
a comparison is being conducted against shrapnel fragments previously
recovered from an HMAS SYDNEY carley float which is on display
at the AWM.
A report on the outcomes of this analysis is expected shortly.
Other forensic testing of the Christmas Island remains and objects
found with them are continuing. This includes dental, pathological
and anthropological analyses and the further ballistics work,
with the full findings not expected until mid February, 2007. |
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