Stippling
Definition
Abrasion marks on skin or fabric produced by partially burned propellant grains exiting the muzzle with sufficient velocity to mechanically impact the target surface at intermediate range.
- Appearance
- Abrasion marks on skin or fabric
- Cause
- Partially burned propellant grains impacting the target
- Range
- Intermediate range
- Also known as
- Powder tattooing
Common questions
How does stippling help distinguish an intermediate-range gunshot from a contact shot?+
Stippling requires the muzzle to be far enough from the target that unburned propellant particles disperse and strike the skin individually before losing velocity, whereas a contact shot deposits soot and searing directly without this dispersed pattern, so its presence rules against a true contact wound.
Can the pattern of stippling be used to estimate the actual firing distance?+
Yes, the density and spread of stippling marks generally increase with muzzle-to-target distance up to the point propellant particles lose the energy to mark skin, so test-firing the same weapon and ammunition at varying distances lets an examiner compare patterns and bracket the range.
Related terms
- Azo Dye
- A class of organic dyes containing one or more azo groups (R-N=N-R'). Formed in the Griess test by coupling of a diazonium...
- Desensitisation (Griess Protocol)
- The step in the Modified Griess protocol in which background nitrite contamination (from sweat, atmospheric nitrogen, detergent) is removed from the garment...
- Lead-Free Primer
- A primer composition that omits lead styphnate, using DDNP or other compounds, producing no lead from the primer channel during discharge. Examples...
- Modified Griess Test
- A contact-transfer colour chemistry test for nitrite-containing propellant combustion residue. Sulphanilic acid undergoes diazotisation with nitrous acid (from NO2 on the target...
- Powder Tattooing
- Stippling pattern of unburned and partially burned propellant grains embedded in the skin around an entry wound. Cannot be wiped off. Pathognomonic...
- Sodium Rhodizonate
- A chelating agent producing a scarlet-to-red colour with lead ions at acid pH. Applied to entry-wound margins and garment entry holes to...
- Soot (Blackening)
- Submicrometre carbon-rich particles from incomplete propellant combustion, deposited on the garment or skin surface around the entry hole at contact and near-contact...
- Test-Fired Control Panels
- Fabric panels fired at known, measured muzzle-to-target distances using the same or equivalent weapon and ammunition as in the case, processed with...