ABSTRACT
In the vast number of cases, the entry (and possible exit) wound will be examined and, hopefully, faithfully documented by the attending casualty surgeon. Experience has shown that often, the case notes are far from accurate in their description. The gunshot injury may be described in a nondescript fashion, notated simply as “bullet hole.” Entry and exit may be confused, with serious implications later. Frequently, the “pathological range of fire” is not estimated or is simply wrong. On rare occasions, the forensic pathologist may be requested to examine an excised surgical specimen from the survivor victim of a gunshot injury. The police agencies will almost certainly expect the questions of range, angulation, and possibly caliber to be addressed.
