Firearm injuries: exit wound: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Firearm injuries: exit wound

Sample item

On examining a gunshot victim, two wounds are found. One is small and round with a rim of abrasion. The other is larger and irregular with everted margins and no abrasion collar. Which statement is correct?

AThe abrasion collar indicates the exit of the bulletBBoth wounds are entry wounds from two separate bulletsCThe second wound is the entry wound, since it is larger and irregularDThe second wound is the exit wound, since everted margins without an abrasion collar are typical of exit

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. The second wound is the exit wound, since everted margins without an abrasion collar are typical of exit

An entry wound is usually smaller, round, inverted and surrounded by an abrasion collar produced as the bullet indents and scrapes the skin. An exit wound is typically larger, irregular, slit-like or stellate, with everted margins and no abrasion collar, because the bullet has deformed and is no longer pressing on supported skin. Exceptions occur with shored exit wounds.

Option by option

A. The abrasion collar indicates the exit of the bullet
The abrasion collar is produced by the bullet entering the skin, not leaving it.
B. Both wounds are entry wounds from two separate bullets
The two wounds differ in features and fit entry and exit of a single bullet.
C. The second wound is the entry wound, since it is larger and irregular
A wound of larger size does not make it an entry wound, and the entry wound shows an abrasion collar.
D. The second wound is the exit wound, since everted margins without an abrasion collar are typical of exit (correct)
Correct. Eversion without an abrasion collar is characteristic of an exit wound.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, The second wound is the exit wound, since everted margins without an abrasion collar are typical of exit. An entry wound is usually smaller, round, inverted and surrounded by an abrasion collar produced as the bullet indents and scrapes the skin.

Why is "The abrasion collar indicates the exit of the bullet" not the answer?

The abrasion collar is produced by the bullet entering the skin, not leaving it.

Why is "Both wounds are entry wounds from two separate bullets" not the answer?

The two wounds differ in features and fit entry and exit of a single bullet.

Why is "The second wound is the entry wound, since it is larger and irregular" not the answer?

A wound of larger size does not make it an entry wound, and the entry wound shows an abrasion collar.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Firearm injuries: exit wound in Forensic Medicine. An exit wound is typically larger, irregular, slit-like or stellate, with everted margins and no abrasion collar, because the bullet has deformed and is no longer pressing on supported skin. Exceptions occur with shored exit wounds.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Firearm injuries: exit wound?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.