Entry and exit wound of a bullet

Trait

Entrance wound

Exit wound

Size 

Smaller than the diameter

of the bullet. In close

discharge, skin is torn

Bigger than the bullet

Edges 

Inverted

Everted, puckered

or torn

Bruising,
abrasion and
grease collar

Present

Absent

Burning,
blackening,

tattooing

May be seen around
the wound.

Absent

Bleeding

Less.

More

Fat

No protrusion except in
contact shot.

May protrude

Tissues within
and around
the wound

May be cherry-red due to
CO of explosive gases.

No colour change

Approximation
of edges

Retains a small central
defect.

Re-establishes skin's

integrity

Fibres of
clothing

Turned in and may be
carried into the wound.

Turned out

Lead ring or

metal ring

May be seen around the
wound by radiological
examination.

Absent

Spectrography

More metal is found around 

entrance wound, if bullet has 

only passed through

soft tissues.

The exit wound may
contain more metal if a
bone is struck nearer to it