Citation

Di Maio VJ, Kaplan JA. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 1991; 12(3): 207-208.

Affiliation

Medical Examiner's Office of Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas 78207.

Comment In:

Am J Forensic Med Pathol 1992;13(2):177

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1750391

Abstract

In many cases of self-inflicted contact wounds of the head with rimfire rifles, we have noted that the entrance wound appears unusual: in 50% of cases studied, a pencil-like extension or zone of blackened and seared skin extends downward from the entrance. The most probable cause for the appearance of this wound is a momentary break in contact between the muzzle and skin as the victim reaches for the trigger with resultant escape of a jet of hot sooty gas. Whereas not unique for rimfire rifles, such a wound from a handgun is uncommon.

Language: en