The 'exit wound' of a gunshot is typically larger than the entry wound because:

• A The bullet mushrooms (deforms) inside the body, increasing its cross-sectional area at exit
• B The bullet tumbles or yaws as it traverses tissue, exiting sideways or base-first, and pushes outward an irregularly large skin flap
• C Bone fragments, bullet fragments, or the deformed/tumbled projectile create a larger, irregular, everted wound
• D All of A, B, and C depending on bullet type, tissue traversed, and velocity ✓

Explanation

The exit wound is larger and more irregular than entry for multiple interrelated reasons: (1) full-metal-jacketed bullets may tumble or yaw after traversing tissue, exiting base- or side-first through a wider wound; (2) soft-point or hollow-point bullets mushroom; (3) bone fragments driven ahead of the bullet act as secondary projectiles widening the exit; (4) the skin at exit is pushed outward without abrasion collar (unlike entry), producing an everted, irregular, often stellate laceration. Exit wounds lack abrasion collar (no bullet friction entering skin from outside), blackening, or tattooing.

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.