Where do concentric fractures typically occur in relation to the impact site?

Concentric fractures are a type of crack formation in glass that occur as a result of stress from an impact. These fractures propagate in a circular pattern around the impact point. When a force is applied to the glass, such as from a bullet or another object, the most immediate effect is seen at the point of impact. Concentric fractures begin at the area of highest stress, which is typically the impact side, moving outward from this point.

In the context of an impact on glass, those fractures are formed as the glass attempts to redistribute the internal stresses caused by the impact. Although other types of fractures, such as radial fractures, may also be present, concentric fractures are distinctive because they develop around the periphery of the area that was struck, indicating that they emerge from the specific side of the glass where the force was first applied.

This understanding of concentric fractures is critical in crime scene investigations, as it helps forensic experts to analyze the point and directionality of impacts on glass surfaces, thus providing essential clues to reconstruct the event.