title: Wounds caused by tight contact with the barrel-cylinder gap of revolvers.
abstract: A case is presented in which the recognition of a tight cylinder gap contact wound was crucial. Experiments were carried out to reproduce the wound which was noted on the hand of a robbery suspect. Tight contact with the cylinder gap of a revolver produces a characteristic, readily recognizable wound. It is characterized by an L-shaped pattern of powder residue. Along one axis a searing burn may occur which may be deep and which may lead to significant tissue destruction.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000209:etiology; D003415:Crime; D004285:Dogs; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries; D013552:Swine; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*