Assessment of shooting distance on the basis of bloodstain analysis and histological examinations

A 28-year-old man was shot using a pump-gun. The main question to be resolv ed was whether the biological stain pattern on the suspect's trousers, and in particular the bloodstains. can provide evidence to assess the shooting distance between the suspect and the position of the victim's body. The bio logical stain pattern (i.e. bloodstains and brain tissue) showed backspatte rs from the shot entrance wound on the back of the head. while the victim w as lying face down and the suspect was standing close behind his head. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights, reserved.