Explosive effect of a contact gunshot wound from a .44 magnum revolver. The explosive effect of the wound is obvious. Nonetheless, reconstruction of the skull helps determine entry and exit sites. A close-contact gunshot wound to the head often causes extreme damage due to the buildup of high-pressure gases from the firearm’s discharge. When the muzzle is pressed against the skull, the expanding gases enter the cranial cavity with explosive force, increasing intracranial pressure. Since the skull is a rigid structure, this pressure seeks an outlet, often causing catastrophic fractures and sometimes complete skull fragmentation. Additionally, hydrostatic shock from the bullet’s velocity disrupts brain tissue, further contributing to the explosive effect. The result is massive trauma, with brain matter and bone forcefully ejected, creating the characteristic appearance of head explosion.
Fig.1 Explosive effect of a contact gunshot wound.
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