Question

An entry firearm wound demonstrates an abrasion collar and a grease collar but completely lacks gunpowder tattooing (stippling), soot, and singeing of hair. The most appropriate interpretation of the firing distance is:

• A. Distant range
• B. Contact (tight) range
• C. Close range
• D. Intermediate (near) range

Hint:

No stippling, no soot, no singed hair - the muzzle was beyond powder range.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Firing distance is determined by which muzzle by-products - flame (singeing/burns), soot (blackening), and powder grains (tattooing) - reach the skin, alongside the bullet’s own marks.

Step 2: The abrasion collar (bullet indenting skin) and grease collar (lubricant/dirt wiped off the bullet) are produced at every distance and give NO information about range.

Step 3: Here, tattooing, soot, and singeing are all absent. Powder tattooing is generally seen only within about 60 cm and soot within about 30 cm. Their complete absence means the powder grains and smoke did not reach the target.

Step 4: A wound showing only AC and GC with none of the gunpowder/flame effects is therefore a distant range gunshot wound, fired beyond the maximum travel of powder.

Step 5: Why the others are wrong - contact wounds show muzzle imprint with cavity soot and burning; close range shows heavy soot and singeing; intermediate range shows powder tattooing. None are seen here.

Key fact: Absence of tattooing/soot/singeing with only AC + GC to distant range.