A man is arrested minutes after a fatal shot fired from his licensed revolver. On examination, fine blood droplets and specks of grey brain-like material are noted on the back of his right hand and the radial side of the index finger. The weapon was fired in near-contact position to the victim's head. These deposits are BEST explained by:

• A Backspatter (blowback) forced out of the wound by expanding propellant gases ✓
• B Transfer of the victim's blood during a struggle before the shot
• C Condensation of propellant smoke on the skin of the shooter
• D Arterial spurt from the wound striking the shooter's hand

Explanation

At contact and near-contact ranges, propellant gases entering the skull expand and carry blood and tissue fragments back out along the barrel toward the shooter. This backspatter characteristically lands on the dorsum of the hand, thumb-index web space and forearm of the firing hand. Its presence strongly links a person to having discharged the weapon. Arterial spurts are directional jets and do not produce this fine misted distribution on the firing hand.

Reference: Knight's Forensic Pathology, 4th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.