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Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Media Mail List
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MINASSIST 056/2006
Sunday, 17 December 2006
FINDINGS OF INITIAL BALLISTICS ANALYSIS RELATING TO UNKNOWN
SAILOR
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.
Images are available at the following link:
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2006/dec/20061217/object.jpg
Media Information:
Cameron Hill (Mr Billson)
03 9781 2333
0408 239 521
Defence Media Liaison (Defence)
02 6265 3343
0408 498 664 |
