Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on Wound Ballistics

Welcome to this comprehensive multiple-choice quiz on Wound Ballistics!

This quiz features 30 questions designed to challenge and expand your understanding of the complex interactions between projectiles and biological tissues. From the fundamental principles governing bullet behavior to the nuanced characteristics of entry and exit wounds, this assessment covers key aspects of how firearm injuries are formed and analyzed.

Test your knowledge on topics such as projectile velocity, tissue mechanics, forensic indicators, and the crucial distinctions that aid in reconstructing shooting incidents. Good luck as you delve into the intricate science of wound ballistics!

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1. What is the minimum velocity required to penetrate human skin?

a) 20–30 meters per second

b) 40–50 meters per second

c) 60–70 meters per second

d) 80–90 meters per second

2. Which type of ballistics studies the motion of projectiles inside the barrel of a firearm?

a) Exterior Ballistics

b) Terminal Ballistics

c) Interior Ballistics

d) Wound Ballistics

3. What is the threshold velocity required to penetrate a bone?

a) 30 meters per second

b) 40 meters per second

c) 50 meters per second

d) 60 meters per second

4. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an entrance wound?

a) Circular or oval shape

b) Everted edges

c) Contusion ring around the wound

d) Diameter slightly less than the projectile

5. What causes blackening around a firearm injury?

a) Smoke deposits

b) Unburnt powder particles

c) Carbon monoxide absorption

d) Projectile grease

6. What is tattooing in firearm injuries?

a) Burning of skin due to hot gases

b) Deposit of unburnt or semi-burnt powder particles under the skin

c) Smoke deposits around the wound

d) Carbon monoxide absorption causing pink coloration

7. Which of the following is a characteristic of an exit wound?

a) Circular or oval shape

b) Inverted edges

c) Larger and irregular shape

d) Presence of contusion ring

8. What does pink coloration around a firearm injury indicate?

a) Injury from a long-range shot

b) Presence of unburnt powder particles

c) Absorption of carbon monoxide from close-range firing

d) Blackening due to smoke deposits

9. Which of the following types of evidence collected from a firearm injury case is primarily for systemic analysis rather than direct physical examination of the wound morphology?

a) Clothes and evidence thereon

b) Charred skin piece

c) Projectile fragments

d) Blood samples

10. What is the primary purpose of wound ballistics?

a) Study the motion of projectiles in the air

b) Study the wounding phenomenon caused by projectiles

c) Analyze the constructional features of firearms

d) Determine the range of firing

11. What is the difference between charring and blackening?

a) Charring can be removed with a cotton swab, blackening cannot

b) Blackening is caused by flame, charring is caused by smoke deposits

c) Blackening can be removed with a cotton swab, charring cannot

d) Charring is caused by unburnt powder particles, blackening is caused by grease

12. What does the dirt ring around a firearm injury indicate?

a) Presence of carbon monoxide

b) Projectile wipe or grease deposits

c) Smoke deposits

d) Unburnt powder particles

13. Which of the following factors is least directly associated with the terminal effects of a projectile on a biological target in wound ballistics?

a) Projectile deformation upon impact

b) Temporary cavity formation

c) Yaw and tumble of the projectile

d) The firearm’s serial number

14. What is the purpose of X-ray radiographs in handling firearm injuries?

a) To identify the type of firearm used

b) To locate projectiles and their fragments

c) To determine the range of firing

d) To analyze the contusion ring

15. What is the term used for deposits of unburnt or semi-burnt powder particles under the skin?

a) Blackening

b) Tattooing

c) Dirt ring

d) Contusion

16. What is the study of the motion of projectiles at the target or inside the target called?

a) Interior Ballistics

b) Exterior Ballistics

c) Terminal Ballistics

d) Projectile Ballistics

17. Which of the following factors affects the extent of extraneous deposits around a firearm wound?

a) Type of clothing worn by the victim

b) The weapon, ammunition, range, and angle of fire

c) The age of the victim

d) The time of day the injury occurred

18. What is the primary cause of charring in firearm injuries?

a) Smoke deposits

b) Flame or hot gases produced during combustion of propellants

c) Unburnt powder particles

d) Projectile grease deposits

19. Which of the following is a sure sign of an entry wound when present?

a) Everted edges

b) Dirt or wipe ring

c) Irregular shape

d) Larger diameter than the projectile

20. What is the primary difference between ante-mortem and post-mortem firearm injuries?

a) Presence of GSR deposits

b) Direction of fire

c) The age of the injury

d) The presence of contusion and tissue swelling

21. What is the typical color of contusion around a firearm wound?

a) Light red

b) Bluish-black to reddish dark

c) Yellowish-brown

d) Grey to black

22. What is the purpose of preserving charred skin pieces in firearm injury cases?

a) To identify the type of projectile used

b) To determine the range of firing

c) To analyze the presence of GSR deposits

d) To confirm the presence of burning due to close-range firing

23. Which of the following is NOT a source of extraneous deposits around a firearm wound?

a) Propellant burned powder

b) Primer residue

c) Projectile grease

d) Blood splatter

24. What does the presence of a muzzle impression around a wound indicate?

a) The shot was fired from a long range

b) The shot was fired in contact with the skin

c) The projectile ricocheted before hitting the target

d) The wound is an exit wound

25. What is the significance of GSR deposits in firearm injuries?

a) They help identify the type of projectile used

b) They indicate close-range firing

c) They confirm the presence of tattooing

d) They determine the direction of fire

26. Which of the following is a characteristic of keyhole wounds?

a) They are caused by wobbling bullets

b) They are larger than exit wounds

c) They are caused by ricocheted projectiles

d) They are always circular in shape

27. What is the primary purpose of photographing firearm injuries?

a) To identify the type of firearm used

b) To preserve evidence of the injury site and nature of injuries

c) To determine the range of firing

d) To analyze the projectile fragments

28. What might the presence of greyish-black, smearable residue around an entry wound (distinct from powder soot) often indicate?

a) The projectile was composed primarily of steel

b) The projectile was lubricated with graphite or made of lead

c) The weapon used smokeless powder

d) The shot was fired from an extreme distance

29. What is the primary feature that distinguishes an exit wound from an entry wound?

a) Presence of contusion ring

b) Eversion of edges

c) Circular shape

d) Smaller diameter than the projectile

30. What is the role of X-ray radiographs in firearm injury investigations?

a) To identify the type of firearm used

b) To locate projectiles and their fragments inside the body

c) To analyze the contusion ring

d) To determine the range of firing

Answer:

1. Answer: b) 40–50 meters per second

2. Answer: c) Interior Ballistics

3. Answer: d) 60 meters per second

4. Answer: b) Everted edges

5. Answer: a) Smoke deposits

6. Answer: b) Deposit of unburnt or semi-burnt powder particles under the skin

7. Answer: c) Larger and irregular shape

8. Answer: c) Absorption of carbon monoxide from close-range firing

9. Answer: d) Blood samples

10. Answer: b) Study the wounding phenomenon caused by projectiles

11. Answer: c) Blackening can be removed with a cotton swab, charring cannot

12. Answer: b) Projectile wipe or grease deposits

13. Answer: d) The firearm’s serial number

14. Answer: b) To locate projectiles and their fragments

15. Answer: b) Tattooing

16. Answer: c) Terminal Ballistics

17. Answer: b) The weapon, ammunition, range, and angle of fire

18. Answer: b) Flame or hot gases produced during combustion of propellants

19. Answer: b) Dirt or wipe ring

20. Answer: d) The presence of contusion and tissue swelling

21. Answer: b) Bluish-black to reddish dark

22. Answer: d) To confirm the presence of burning due to close-range firing

23. Answer: d) Blood splatter

24. Answer: b) The shot was fired in contact with the skin

25. Answer: b) They indicate close-range firing

26. Answer: a) They are caused by wobbling bullets

27. Answer: b) To preserve evidence of the injury site and nature of injuries

28. Answer: b) The projectile was lubricated with graphite or made of lead

29. Answer: b) Eversion of edges

30. Answer: b) To locate projectiles and their fragments inside the body