5M

Describe glass fractures formed at the rear side of the impact.

RADIAL FRACTURE: the penetration of ordinary window glass by a projectile, whether it is

bullet or stone, produce a fracture pattern which radiates outwards like a spoke of wheel
from the point at which glass was stuck. This radial glass fracture produced at the opposite
to the one where the force had been applied. This fracture always appears first on glass

CONE FRACTURE: this type of crack or fracture is formed when a high velocity projectile
object such as bullet penetrates the glass which exceeds its elasticity limit. It often leaves a
round crater shaped hole surrounded by radial and concentric fractures. This hole actually
determines the side of impact as it is wider on the exit side. However, as the velocity of
penetrating projectile decreases, the irregularities of shape of hole, and its surrounding
cracks increases so at that point the hole shape may not determine the direction of impact.
At this point, the radial and concentric fracture determines the direction of impact.

RIB FRACTURE/ STRESS LINE: the edges of broken piece of glass bears a number of
curved lines termed as stress lines. These stress lines are tangent to the one side of the
glass and perpendicular to other side. They are always perpendicular to the surface at which
the crack is originated. In radial fracture, the rib marks are perpendicular to the side opposite
to which the force has been applied and in concentric fracture, the ribs marks are
perpendicular to the side of the applied force.

3R rule– Radial cracks forms Right angle on the Reverse side of the force.

8M
What are different types of glass fractures?
At the crime scene various glass fragments are found that determines the glass fracture
patterns.
1. RADIAL FRACTURE: the penetration of ordinary window glass by a projectile, whether it
is bullet or stone, produce a fracture pattern which radiates outwards like a spoke of wheel
from the point at which glass was stuck. This radial glass fracture produced at the opposite
to the one where the force had been applied. This fracture always appears first on glass.
2. CONCENTRIC FRACTURE: the concentric glass fractures are the secondary fracture and
occur after radial fracture. If the force continues even after the radial fracture, the tensile
stress develops on the side where the force was applied. This leads to series of concentric
circles around the point of contact known as concentric fracture. This fracture or cracks are
applied on the same side where the force was applied. This fracture connect with the
adjacent radial fracture.
3. CONE FRACTURE: this type of crack or fracture is formed when a high velocity projectile
object such as bullet penetrates the glass which exceeds its elasticity limit. It often leaves a
round crater shaped hole surrounded by radial and concentric fractures. This hole actually
determines the side of impact as it is wider on the exit side. However, as the velocity of
penetrating projectile decreases, the irregularities of shape of hole, and its surrounding
cracks increases so at that point the hole shape may not determine the direction of impact.
At this point, the radial and concentric fracture determines the direction of impact.
4. RIB FRACTURE/ STRESS LINE: the edges of broken piece of glass bears a number of
curved lines termed as stress lines. These stress lines are tangent to the one side of the
glass and perpendicular to other side. They are always perpendicular to the surface at which
the crack is originated. In radial fracture, the rib marks are perpendicular to the side opposite
to which the force has been applied and in concentric fracture, the ribs marks are
perpendicular to the side of the applied force.
A convenient rule for remembering these observations is the 3R rule– Radial cracks forms
Right angle on the Reverse side of the force.
5. HECKLE MARKS: these are small irregular lines that are appeared on the edges of the
broken glass. They appear perpendicular to rib marks.
6. THERMAL FRACTURE: these are irregular wavy shaped fracture formed due to
excessive exposure to heat. If a very hot liquid is poured in cold glass or very cold liquid pour
in hot glass, a thermal shock produced leading to this type of fractures.