Injuries and wounds: back-spatter in suicide: 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 · Injuries and wounds: back-spatter in suicide

Sample item

A man is found dead with an intra-oral gunshot wound and a pistol beside him. Blood and tissue are found inside the muzzle of the weapon. What does this indicate?

ARicochet of the bullet from a wallBThat the weapon was cleaned after being firedCDischarge from a distance of several metresDBack-spatter, consistent with discharge at contact or very close range

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Back-spatter, consistent with discharge at contact or very close range

When a weapon is fired in contact or near contact, gas and blood from the wound are blown back into the muzzle, called back-spatter or blowback. Blood in the barrel therefore supports close-range discharge and is useful for linking the weapon to the wound.

Option by option

A. Ricochet of the bullet from a wall
Ricochet does not deposit tissue inside the muzzle.
B. That the weapon was cleaned after being fired
Blood in the barrel does not mean cleaning, which would remove it.
C. Discharge from a distance of several metres
A shot from a distance would not throw tissue back into the barrel.
D. Back-spatter, consistent with discharge at contact or very close range (correct)
Correct. Blood in the muzzle is back-spatter from a contact or near contact shot.

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, Back-spatter, consistent with discharge at contact or very close range. When a weapon is fired in contact or near contact, gas and blood from the wound are blown back into the muzzle, called back-spatter or blowback.

Why is "Ricochet of the bullet from a wall" not the answer?

Ricochet does not deposit tissue inside the muzzle.

Why is "That the weapon was cleaned after being fired" not the answer?

Blood in the barrel does not mean cleaning, which would remove it.

Why is "Discharge from a distance of several metres" not the answer?

A shot from a distance would not throw tissue back into the barrel.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Injuries and wounds: back-spatter in suicide in Forensic Medicine. Blood in the barrel therefore supports close-range discharge and is useful for linking the weapon to the wound.

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 Injuries and wounds: back-spatter in suicide?

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.