Gunshot Wounds

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering terminology and definitions related to the medical legal implications of gunshot wounds.

Gunshot Wounds

Injuries caused by a projectile or bullet from a firearm that damage any part of the body.

Medical Legal Significance

The importance of gunshot wounds in forensic investigations, including determining causes of death and legal liability.

Weapon Identification

Linking a bullet to a specific firearm through techniques such as ballistic fingerprinting and caliber analysis.

Range of Fire

The distance between the firearm and the victim, which influences the wound's characteristics.

Wound Morphology

The shape and characteristics of a wound which can provide insights into the shooting circumstances.

Self-Inflicted Wounds

Injuries that occur from the victim shooting themselves intentionally.

Homicidal Wounds

Injuries that result from another person's act of aggression with a firearm.

Accidental Wounds

Injuries that occur unintentionally, often during the handling or cleaning of a firearm.

Wound Location

The specific area on the body where a gunshot wound is present, which can indicate the shooting angle.

Hesitation Marks

Superficial marks around a gunshot wound that can suggest a self-inflicted injury.

Defensive Injuries

Wounds that a victim sustains while trying to protect themselves from an assailant's attack.

Injury Classification

The categorization of gunshot wounds based on severity, which affects liability and compensation in legal terms.

Reconstruction of Testimonies

The process of correlating physical evidence with witness statements to confirm or refute claims of events.

Ballistic Fingerprinting

A forensic technique used to match bullets to specific firearms by examining unique striations and markings.

Caliber

The internal diameter of a firearm's barrel, which helps identify the type of weapon used.

Rifling Patterns

Spiral grooves inside a firearm's barrel that impart spin to the bullet, creating unique markings.

IBIS (Integrated Ballistics Identification System)

A national database used to compare markings on bullets and cartridge casings to identify firearms.

Ballistic Matching

The forensic process to determine if a bullet or cartridge case was fired from a specific firearm.

Firing Pin Impressions

Unique marks left on primer caps by the firing pin during the discharge of a firearm.

Bridge Face Marks

Surface markings found on the rear end of a firearm's chamber that can identify a specific firearm.

Ejector Marks

Scratches made on a cartridge as it is ejected from a firearm after being fired.

Contact Gunshot Wound

A wound inflicted when the firearm is pressed against the victim's skin during discharge.

Close Range Gunshot Wound

A wound from a distance of zero to fifteen centimeters, often exhibiting powder burns.

Intermediate Range Gunshot Wound

A wound inflicted from a distance of fifteen to sixty centimeters, may show stippling.

Distant Range Gunshot Wound

A wound from a distance of more than sixty centimeters, typically without powder marks.

Entry Wound

The point where a bullet enters the body, often smaller and cleaner than the exit wound.

Exit Wound

The point where a bullet leaves the body, usually larger and more irregular than the entry wound.

Stellate Injury

Star-shaped lacerations observed at gunshot wound sites particularly in contact wounds.

Keyhole Injury

A type of gunshot wound that has characteristics of both entry and exit wounds, often occurring at an angle.

Shored Exit Wound

An exit wound that shows abrasions resembling an entry wound due to support against a firm surface.

Lead Snowstorm Pattern

A distribution of lead fragments observed in tissue, resembling snowflakes, from a bullet impact.

Gunpowder Residues (GSR)

Particles that can indicate recent firing of a weapon or being near a discharged firearm.

Primary Transfer (GSR)

Direct contact with the firearm resulting in gunshot residue on the individual.

Secondary Transfer (GSR)

Indirect contact with surfaces that have gunshot residue, leading to contamination.

Modified Grease Test

A method to detect nitrates from burnt gunpowder, turning red if positive.

Sodium Rhodizonate Test

A colorimetric test that detects lead residues, indicated by a pink or purple hue.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Test

A forensic test used to analyze and visualize gunshot residues on a suspect's hands.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

A highly sensitive method for detecting elements like lead, barium, and antimony in GSR tests.

Intent in Legal Context

The mental state behind the act of shooting, which influences charges like murder or manslaughter.

Prognostic Evaluation

Assessment of potential recovery outcomes for gunshot victims, influencing legal claims.

Crime Scene Reconstruction

The use of forensic evidence to piece together events leading up to a shooting incident.

Circumstantial Evidence

Indirect evidence that can suggest motive or intent in criminal cases concerning gunshot wounds.

Trajectory Analysis

The examination of bullet paths to determine shooting angles and distances.

Test Bullets

Bullets fired from a suspect's firearm to compare with those recovered at a crime scene.

Power Burns

Burns caused by gunpowder gases coming into contact with skin at close range.

Tattooing (Stippling)

Small abrasions on the skin caused by particles from a discharged firearm at close range.

Exit Wound Characteristics

Features of an exit wound, which tend to be larger and irregular compared to entry wounds.

Entry Wound Characteristics

Features typical to the point of entry for a bullet, often smaller and cleaner.

Fragmentation

The breaking apart of a bullet upon impact that can create multiple wound channels.

Soft Point Bullets

Bullets with a soft lead tip designed for controlled expansion upon impact.

Hollow Point Bullets

Bullets designed to expand upon impact, causing significant tissue damage.

Full Metal Jacket Bullets

Bullets fully encased in metal to prevent expansion, typically causing clean wounds.

Shotgun Shells

Specialized cartridges that contain multiple small pellets, leading to a spread pattern of wounds.

Birdshot

A type of shotgun pellet designed for small game hunting, causing numerous small wounds.

Buckshot

Larger shotgun pellets used for hunting larger game, usually resulting in more serious wounds.

Slug

A single projectile fired from a shotgun, causing significant injury at close range.

Shotgun Wound Patterns

Characteristics of wounds caused by shotgun fire, which depend on the distance from the muzzle.

Chamber Marks

Scratches or impressions left on a bullet fired from a specific firearm's chamber.

Projectile Types

Different forms of ammunition that affect the severity and type of wounds inflicted.

Legal Liability

Responsibility that may arise from the consequences of injuries caused by gunshot wounds.

Autopsy Findings

Results from a post-mortem examination that provide clues about the circumstances of a shooting.

Forensic Specialists

Experts in various fields who analyze gunshot-related evidence to support legal investigations.

Criminal vs. Civil Cases

Different legal processes in which gunshot wounds may be analyzed for liability and accountability.

Multi-Shot Incidents

Situations involving multiple discharges of a firearm, affecting interpretations of intent and motive.

Circumstantial Reconstruction

The process of using indirect evidence from a shooting to infer the circumstances of an incident.

Kinetic Energy Transfer

The process by which a bullet transfers energy to tissues, influencing wounding effects.

Judicial Evidence Standards

The criteria for admissibility and weight of forensic evidence in court.

Medical Examination Reports

Documentation of the findings from health professionals regarding injuries from gunshot wounds.

Ethical Considerations

Moral implications regarding the investigation and handling of gunshot wound cases.

Forensic Pathology

A branch of medicine that determines the cause of death in cases involving gunshot wounds.

Tissue Cavitation

The space created in tissue upon bullet impact, influencing bleeding and injury severity.

Victim's Injury Narratives

Statements regarding how a shooting incident transpired, needing corroboration with forensic findings.

Bullet Trajectories

The paths taken by bullets, which can provide evidence about the shooter's position relative to the victim.

Wound Recovery Prognosis

Assessment of likely healing outcomes and potential long-term effects of gunshot injuries.

Key Elements in Investigation

Factors that need to be analyzed such as guns, bullets, and witnesses to understand shooting incidents.

Ballistic Data Records

Documentation of forensic findings that help link firearms to specific incidents in investigations.

Human Anatomy Considerations

Understanding the body's structure to interpret gunshot wounds and potential impacts on vital organs.

Investigation Sequences

The order of actions taken during an investigation that influences the clarity of evidence gathered.