Ricochet Wound
Definition
An entry wound produced by a bullet that has deflected from a hard surface before striking the victim. Characterised by a deformed bullet (one asymmetric face), an irregular or crescentic wound perforation, an asymmetric or absent abrasion collar, and trace inclusions from the deflection surface. Velocity and energy are reduced relative to direct fire at equivalent distance.
Related terms
- Bullet Embolism
- Intravascular migration of a projectile after vascular entry, carried by blood flow to a location remote from the entry wound. Presents at...
- Intermediate-Target Wound
- An entry wound produced by a bullet that has passed through an intervening object (window glass, plywood, body armour) before striking the...
- Post-Mortem Wound
- A wound inflicted after circulatory cessation. Lacks haemorrhage at the wound margin, lacks PMN infiltration, and shows reduced tissue retraction. May retain...
- Staging
- Deliberate manipulation of a death scene to mislead forensic investigation. In firearms deaths, staging typically involves post-mortem wound infliction, weapon placement, or...
- Vital Reaction
- The suite of physiological responses to tissue injury that require a functioning cardiovascular and cellular metabolism to occur: haemorrhage, neutrophil infiltration, vasoactive...
Explained in
- Atypical Firearm Wounds and the Post-Mortem DistinctionAn entry wound produced by a bullet that has deflected from a hard surface before striking the victim. Characterised by a deformed bullet (one asymmetric face)...