Low Down

When the muzzle is held near the skin, but not actually in contact with it, a number of helpful signs are produced. Once again the appearance is naturally modified by clothing, which must always be carefully preserved and subjected to forensic scientific examination. Where clothing is present, then it will trap most, but not necessarily all, of the soot and powder grains. It will reduce the flame effects, though if the fabric is ignited even momentarily, this can diffusely scorch the skin. Assuming that the body surface is uncovered, a close discharge - one between actual contact and about 15 cm (6 inches) - is likely to show the following features: -           Singeing of hairs around the wound, unless the skin is hairless. The fine downy hairs of the trunk and limbs may be burnt away, though this is unlikely with dense, long, head hair. Where the distance is greater, the keratin of the hair may melt with the flame and then solid on cooling,...

  The nature of firearm wounds varies considerably with the   type of weapon employed. A general knowledge of the   main features of the various types of gun in common use is   essential, though there is no need for the pathologist to   master the unnecessary mass of detail on firearm construction. Indeed,   much of this is solely the province of the firearms examiner,   not the doctor. The inordinate amount of detail sometimes   provided is perhaps symptomatic of the fascination which   firearms hold for many men - women.   In the context of wounding, guns are of two main types. The smooth-bore weapon or 'shotgun' A shotgun consists of one or more metal barrels of relatively   wide diameter, which are smooth on the inner surface. They   fire a variable number of spherical lead shot (pellets), which   emerge from the end (muzzle), from where they gradually   diverge in the form of a long, narrow cone. Exceptio...