A victim sustains a shotgun wound to the chest. At autopsy, the forensic pathologist finds the plastic wad inside the wound track along with the lead pellets. This finding is characteristic of a range of fire of:

• A More than 10 meters
• B 1 to 2 meters
• C 3 to 5 meters
• D Less than 1 meter ✓

Explanation

At very close range (under 1 meter), the plastic wad has not yet separated from the shot column and enters the body along with the pellets. At 1 to 2 meters, the wad may still enter or be found just outside the wound. Beyond 3 to 5 meters, the wad lacks the energy to enter the body and is typically found on the clothing or near the victim. Finding the wad inside the body is a hallmark of close-range shotgun discharge.

Reference: Pillay's Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 18th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.