Introductory materials provide information on handguns, rifles, shotguns, submachine and machine guns, caliber nomenclature, ammunition, and flintlock and percussion weapons. Forensic aspects of ballistics are discussed, including bullet characteristics, comparison of bullets, basemarkings, and the discharge of the weapon. The characteristics of contact and near-contact wounds and of intermediate-range and distant gunshot wounds are presented and illustrated. Additional chapters indicate differences among wounds resulting from a variety of handguns, .22-caliber rimfire weapons, centerfire rifles, and shotguns. Additional information is provided on less usual types of weapons (i.e., air guns, zip guns, and electrical guns) and ammunitions (cast bullets, sabot ammunition, blank cartridges). The utility of x-rays in the evaluation of gunshot wounds is discussed, as are techniques for the detection of gunshot wounds. The correct handling of deaths from firearms is delineated from the initial onsite examination to the autopsy report. Special considerations in the investigation of suicides and accidental deaths also are covered. Appendixes provide information on hollow-point ammunition, the forensic autopsy, and gunshot residue procedures. Photographs, chapter references, and an index are included.