In a contact gunshot wound, the pathognomonic feature seen at autopsy is:

• A Presence of tattooing around the wound
• B Soot deposition only in the wound track
• C Stellate laceration with muzzle imprint on the skin ✓
• D Regular circular entry wound with marginal abrasion collar

Explanation

In a hard contact wound, the muzzle is pressed against the skin, directing all hot gases into the wound. These gases expand beneath the skin, causing stellate or cruciate laceration with a muzzle contusion ring (imprint of the gun barrel). Tattooing (powder stippling) requires some muzzle distance and is absent in contact wounds. Soot is present but deep within the track.

Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.