Contact or near-contact wounds are often the result of what scenarios?

Contact or near-contact wounds typically occur in situations where a firearm is discharged in close proximity to the victim. This is often the case in scenarios such as close-range gunfights, suicides, or executions. When a gun is fired at close range, the gases and hot materials expelled from the muzzle can create distinct characteristics in the resulting wound, often leading to more severe tissue damage compared to wounds from a greater distance.

The unique features associated with contact wounds, such as stippling or soot deposits, can help investigators determine the range from which the firearm was discharged. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of these specific scenarios is crucial for accurate analysis in crime scene investigations.