Abraded Collar
Definition
1 to 3 mm rim of grazed skin around a firearm entry wound caused by the bullet stretching and scraping the skin on impact; absent at exit wounds.
- Width
- 1 to 3 mm
- Cause
- Bullet stretching and scraping skin on impact
- Occurs at
- Entry wounds only
- Appearance
- Reddish-brown, dries to a parchment-like texture
Common questions
Why is an abraded collar absent at exit wounds?+
Exit wounds form as the bullet pushes skin outward from inside the body, without the frictional scraping against the outer skin surface that produces the collar on entry.
Does the abraded collar indicate the range of fire?+
No, it forms at essentially any range because it results from the bullet's mechanical contact with skin; range is instead judged from soot deposition and stippling patterns.
What does an asymmetric abraded collar suggest?+
An eccentric or wider collar on one side suggests the bullet struck the skin at an angle rather than perpendicular to the body surface.
Related terms
- Abrasion
- A wound where friction or tangential force removes the superficial layers of skin without penetrating the full thickness. Abrasions preserve the direction...
- Chop Wound
- Combined incised and lacerated injury from a heavy edged weapon (axe, kulhari), often involving underlying bone.
- Contusion (Bruise)
- Blunt-force trauma that ruptures small vessels beneath an intact skin surface. Blood collects in the tissue. Location, size, and shape can indicate...
- Defence Wound
- Injury sustained while warding off an attack, typically incised or stab wounds on the palms, fingers, ulnar borders of forearms or back...
- Grievous Hurt
- Hurt falling within any of the eight clauses of BNS 2023 Section 116 (emasculation, vision loss, hearing loss, member or joint deprivation,...
- Incised Wound
- A wound produced by a sharp-edged implement. Margins are clean, without contusion or bridging. Depth is less than length in a classic...
- Injury
- Any harm whatever illegally caused to a person in body, mind, reputation or property (BNS 2023 Section 2(14), carrying forward IPC Section...
- Laceration
- A wound torn by blunt or shearing force, characterised by ragged, contused margins and tissue bridges crossing the wound depths. The distinction...
- Simple Hurt
- Any hurt that does not fall within the eight clauses of grievous hurt under BNS 2023 Section 116; punishable under Section 115.
- Stab (Punctured) Wound
- Wound produced by a pointed weapon where depth is greater than length on the skin; gives the best clue to weapon dimensions.
- Wound
- A breach of natural continuity of any tissue, living or dead, caused by physical or mechanical violence.