A wound of entrance from a rifle fired at 5 metres shows: circular punched-out margin, zone of abrasion collar (estimated <1 mm wide), no soiling/tattooing/singeing. The absence of a muzzle contusion ring and presence of small abrasion collar indicates:
- A Distant range (>3 m) — only mechanical action of the bullet, producing punched-out wound with abrasion collar ✓
- B Contact range firing — the muzzle was pressed against skin
- C Close range (15–60 cm) — tattooing should be present but may be washed away
- D Intermediate range (60 cm–3 m) — bullet impacts skin before secondary blast products reach it
Correct answer: A. Distant range (>3 m) — only mechanical action of the bullet, producing punched-out wound with abrasion collar
Explanation
At distant range (greater than 3 m from a rifle, greater than 1 m from a handgun), only the bullet itself acts on the skin; there is no sooting, tattooing from burning/unburnt powder, or singeing of hair. The entry wound shows a clean punched-out circular defect with an abrasion collar (caused by the bullet's rotational and penetrating friction on skin). The abrasion collar is narrow at distant range. At close and intermediate range, secondary products (gases, soot, powder particles) also hit the skin, producing additional zones.
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.