American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

Where are stellate tears of skin typically found?

1. Only in entrance gunshot wounds

2. Only in exit gunshot wounds

3. When expansion from beneath the skin ruptures through the skin surface

4. When the distance from the weapon to the skin is more than six inches

The correct answer is: When expansion from beneath the skin ruptures through the skin surface

Stellate tears of the skin are characterized by star-shaped lacerations that occur as a result of high-velocity impacts, often associated with gunshot wounds. They typically form when there is an expansion of gases or tissue from beneath the skin that causes a rupture at the skin's surface. This process leads to the typical star-like pattern of the tear, as the skin gives way in multiple directions from a central point of force. The correct explanation aligns with the mechanism of injury that leads to stellate tears, highlighting the role of internal pressure or expansion resulting in the disruption of skin integrity. This understanding is crucial for forensic analysis, as it aids investigators in determining the type and range of a gunshot wound, contributing to the overall reconstruction of events related to the injury. Other options may suggest specific contexts such as the entrance or exit points of gunshot wounds or the distance from the weapon; however, they do not accurately capture the true mechanism behind the formation of stellate tears, which is strictly related to the internal forces acting upon the skin.