Citation

Adeyi O, Duval JV, Dupre ME, Andrew TA. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 2005; 26(2): 166-169.

Affiliation

Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15894852

Abstract

Forensic pathologists have historically found several characteristics of the entrance wound invaluable in determining range of fire in gunshot fatalities. Among these characteristics are the pattern and constituents of any deposited material such as soot and/or gun powder residues. We describe a case in which the application of previously described characteristics, in the absence of laboratory testing and examination of the crime scene, would have led to an erroneous conclusion with potentially grave consequences. We suggest that all attempts be made to use available laboratory tests and to perform detailed examination of crime scenes in determining the circumstances surrounding fatal gunshot injuries.