title: An unusual entrance wound associated with rimfire rifles.
abstract: In many cases of self-inflicted contact wounds of the head with rimfire rifles, we have noted that the entrance wound appears unusual: in 50% of cases studied, a pencil-like extension or zone of blackened and seared skin extends downward from the entrance. The most probable cause for the appearance of this wound is a momentary break in contact between the muzzle and skin as the victim reaches for the trigger with resultant escape of a jet of hot sooty gas. Whereas not unique for rimfire rifles, such a wound from a handgun is uncommon.
authors.affiliation: Medical Examiner's Office of Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas 78207.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Di Maio
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013405:Suicide; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*