Distinction between entrance and exit wounds by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

•We investigated residual elements around the gunshot wounds in two autopsy cases using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX).•The detection of metallic elements, such as lead, copper and antimony, may be useful for distinguish between entrance and exit wounds.

We investigated gunshot wounds in two autopsy cases using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX). Lead and copper were detected in the entrance wound of one case and lead, antimony, and copper were detected in that of the other case. In the exit wounds of both cases, lead, antimony, and copper were below detection limits. These findings indicate that the detection of metallic elements, such as lead, antimony, and copper, which are found in bullets, may be useful for differentiating entrance from exit wounds using EDX.

Graphical abstractEDX spectrum of the skin samples from Case 1 (blue line, wound in anterior chest wall; red line, wound in back region).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (61 K)Download as PowerPoint slide