A gunshot wound to the scalp shows a circular entrance wound with an abrasion collar (marginal abrasion ring) and blackening/tattooing of the surrounding skin. No contact or star-shaped laceration is seen. This wound was fired at what range?
- A Contact range (muzzle touching skin)
- B Intermediate range (30–60 cm in typical handgun scenarios) ✓
- C Close range (15–60 cm)
- D Long/distant range (beyond 1 meter)
Explanation
Tattooing (stippling) with blackening indicates intermediate range firing where unburned and partially burned powder particles propelled from the muzzle cause punctate abrasions around the wound that cannot be wiped away (embedded in skin). Blackening (fouling/soot) can be wiped off but here coexists with tattooing. Contact wounds show a muzzle contusion pattern, stellate lacerations (due to gas expansion under the skin), and heavy fouling inside the wound track. At long range beyond 1 metre, no soot or tattooing is seen — only an abrasion collar from bullet spin and skin-wiping.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.