A man is brought dead with a single bullet wound over the left chest. Autopsy shows a well defined entry wound with grey-black powder tattooing scattered around it, but there is no appreciable soot deposition or scorching of the skin. Which range of fire does this finding indicate?
- A Intermediate range, beyond about 30 cm and up to roughly 1 metre ✓
- B Close range, within about 30 cm
- C Contact shot
- D Distant range, beyond 5 metres
Correct answer: A. Intermediate range, beyond about 30 cm and up to roughly 1 metre
Explanation
Powder tattooing is produced by partially burnt and unburnt propellant grains embedding in skin, seen in intermediate range shots, typically between about 30 cm and 1 metre for a pistol. Soot and scorching appear only within about 30 cm, and in contact shots they are accompanied by a muzzle imprint. Beyond the maximum spread of powder grains, around 1 metre, no deposits are seen, ruling out option D.
Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.