American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

What characterizes an intermediate-range gunshot wound?

1. No powder disposition evidence

2. Bullet wipe surrounding the entrance wound

3. Gray smudge or smoke residue on clothing

4. Multiple unburned powder particles surrounding the entrance wound

The correct answer is: Multiple unburned powder particles surrounding the entrance wound

An intermediate-range gunshot wound is characterized by the presence of multiple unburned powder particles surrounding the entrance wound. This type of wound occurs from a distance that allows the gunshot residue, which consists of unburned and partially burned gunpowder particles, to travel towards the target but does not allow for the dispersion or complete burning of all the particles. The presence of these unburned particles indicates that the shot was fired from a range where some of the gunpowder has not completely ignited or been expelled from the firearm, creating a specific pattern of residue around the entrance wound. This is a critical aspect for forensic investigations as it helps in estimating the distance from which the gun was fired, aiding in reconstructing the incident. In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe an intermediate-range gunshot wound; for example, no powder disposition evidence typically pertains to distant shots, while a gray smudge or smoke residue is associated more with close-range discharges. Bullet wipe, which involves the smudging of oils and dirt from the bullet itself, may also appear under specific circumstances but does not define the intermediate-range category distinctly.