A Review of Firearms Terminology for the Forensic Pathologist

Abstract

Firearms are fairly ubiquitous in the United States, and wounds due to these devices are commonly seen by forensic pathologists. Correct interpretation of a wound often requires a familiarity with the weapon that produced it. This article is a brief summary of firearms types and functions intended to assist forensic pathologists, who may have limited familiarity with firearms, in developing a basic understanding of their function and the lexicon of firearms terminology.