Signature of the Weapon: A Rare Case of Flash Suppressor Burn

Firearms are dangerous weapons and are often used to commit homicides as well as suicides. Every case of a firearm is unique, and its wound pattern provides insights into the type of weapon used, range of firing and direction of shot. The demise of a 25-year-old male police constable during his duty hours under suspicious circumstances raised the question of whether it was a homicide or suicide. The most important findings were the signature imprint created by the flash suppressor around the entry wound resembling a flower petal pattern, and the trigger position of the right-hand index finger. Injuries produced by flash suppressors are less reported in the literature, so forensic experts should be aware of these patterns of firearm wounds, as they can even mimic multiple entry wounds.