Stellate Laceration
Definition
A star-shaped tearing of the skin at the entry wound, produced by the gas pressure at contact range when the wound overlies a rigid bony surface (typically the skull). Caused by the rebounding gas pressure, not the bullet.
- Shape
- Star-shaped tearing of the skin at the entry wound
- Cause
- Rebounding gas pressure at contact range, not the bullet
- Requires
- A rigid bony surface underlying the wound, typically the skull
Common questions
Why is a stellate laceration mostly seen on the head rather than the abdomen at contact range?+
The tearing depends on gas pressure rebounding off a rigid surface directly beneath the skin, and the skull provides that rigid backing, while soft tissue over the abdomen absorbs and disperses the gas pressure instead of reflecting it back into the skin.
Could a stellate laceration be mistaken for an exit wound?+
Yes, the irregular star-shaped tearing can superficially resemble exit wound characteristics, which is why examiners correlate it with soot, muzzle imprint, and the wound track rather than relying on shape alone to call it an entrance.
Related terms
- Abrasion Collar
- The rim of abraded, dried skin surrounding a gunshot entry wound, produced by the bullet stretching the skin inward before perforation. Width...
- Contact Wound
- A firearm wound produced when the muzzle is pressed against or within a few centimetres of the target surface. Characterised by a...
- Distant Wound
- Entry wound produced beyond the dispersion range of propellant products. Shows only the mechanical bullet-entry findings: abrasion collar, clean wound margins, no...
- Intermediate Wound
- Entry wound produced within the range at which unburned or partially burned propellant grains retain enough velocity to impact the skin and...
- Muzzle Imprint (Muzzle Contusion Ring)
- The bruise or abrasion left on the skin by the barrel rim at contact range. The shape mirrors the muzzle geometry of...
- Near-Contact Wound
- Entry wound produced at approximately 0.5 to 5 centimetres muzzle distance (calibre-dependent). Dense soot deposits on the skin surface around the entry...
- Powder Tattooing (Stippling)
- Intradermal haemorrhagic abrasion points caused by individual unburned or partially burned propellant grains impacting the skin at intermediate range. Cannot be removed...
- Test-Firing Programme
- Comparative discharges conducted with the specific weapon and ammunition type at measured distances, producing documented patterns used to calibrate range estimation against...