Stellate clothing defects with different firearms, projectiles, ranges, and fabrics

''Stellate'' or ''cruciform'' tears of clothing are conventionally believed due to contact or close-range firearm entrance wounds. However, there are no published studies that actually document and confirm this observation. A Remington Nylon 11.22-caliber rimfire bolt-action rifle, a Colt Woodsman.2 2-caliber rimfire auto-loading pistol, a Winchester Model 94.30-30 Winchest er lever-action rifle, and a Remington Model 870 12-gauge pump-action shotg un were test-fired at tight contact, loose contact, 2 cm, 4 cm, 8 cm, 15 cm , 30 cm, and 6 m ranges, using cotton denim, cotton broadcloth, and cotton jersey as targets. The .22-caliber rifle did not produce stellate tearing i n these fabrics at any range. The .22-caliber pistol always produced stella te tears at tight contact and loose contact ranges; non-stellate defects we re produced by this pistol at ranges of 2 cm or greater. The .30-30 Winches ter rifle produced stellate tears at all contact and close ranges up to and including 8 cm. The 12-gauge shotgun only produced stellate tears at loose contact, but was not tested at all ranges. Stellate defects were not produ ced by any firearm, in any fabric, at ranges greater than 8 cm. These resul ts are specific to the firearms, ammunition, fabric, and conditions selecte d, and may not reflect findings in situations involving other firearms, pro jectiles, ranges, or fabrics.