MCQ – 74476

The following is a victim of a firearm injury. What is the suspected distance of the shot?

Correct Answer � B Explanation

Ans: B. Intermediate-range

• This is an intermediate-range, gunshot entrance wound, in which there is powder “tattooing” seen around the entrance wound site.

Intermediate-range shotgun wounds:

At a distance of 60-90 cm:

• Single irregular circular aperture 4 to 5 cm with irregular and lacerated edges is produced.
•  Shots are scattered after entering the wound and cause much damage to the internal tissues.

At a distance of 1.5 meters:

• Shot mass enters the body in one mass, producing a round defect.
• The margins are abraded.
• At a distance of 2 meters, the shot mass begins to spread. The wound of entry is irregular, with ragged margins (rat hole) about 5 cm in diameter with a few satellite perforations at the margins of the main defect.