Gunshot Facts

FIREARM INJURIES:

Definition-

It is defined as a gunshot wound or a penetrating injury from a weapon that uses powder charge to fire a projectile.

Types of firearm-

1. Shotguns

2. Rifled weapons (automatic pistol, rifle, revolvers etc)

Mechanism of injury-

It causes injury by transferring some of it's available energy.

The severity of damage is directly proportional to amount of kinetic energy and the density of tissue involved.

Types of wound-

Entry wound- Marks the point of entry of the bullet

Exit wounds- Marks the exit in cases of penetrating wounds caused by rifled weapons mostly.

FINDING OUT THE DISTANCE & TYPE OF WEAPON-

1. Shot guns-

Contact wound or point blank

a. Circular

b. Muzzle mark present

c. Slight local burning to the skin & hair

d. Redness from CO gases

Near range(within few cms)

a. Small,dry,reddish wounds caused by unburnt powders and small metal fragments sticking to the skin.

b. Muzzle mark absent.

c. Smoke soiling present.

Intermediate range

a. Within 20 cm to 1 m.

b. Similar wound is present as the previous but without smoke soiling.

c. Rat hole type of irregular wound present.

Long range

a. Within 2-3m

b. Small pellet holes present around the central wound.

c. No smoke soiling.

2. Rifled weapons-

* Exit wounds are usually present with everted split flaps.

*No burning, smoke or powder soiling.

GUNSHOTS: SUICIDE OR MURDER

Suicide:

*Suicidal wounds are point blank or near range.

(Within arm reach)

*Common sites for suicide- Mouth, front of neck, chest, forehead.

*Usually on the side of dominant hand.

*Rarely seen in women.

*Single wound.

*Weapon present in the site.