What signifies a bullet fired from close range in terms of skin appearance?

When a bullet is fired from close range, the skin appearance often shows a phenomenon known as blackening. This is primarily due to the deposition of gunshot residue—tiny particles released from the firearm at the moment of firing. When the weapon is discharged close to the skin, the hot gases produced during firing can lead to the disintegration of the projectile, which in turn allows for the deposition of carbon and other materials onto the skin surface. This creates a smudged or blackened appearance around the wound.

Burning typically refers to actual thermal injury caused by contact with flames or very hot objects, which is not a primary characteristic of gunfire from close range. Heat marks might occur in very specific scenarios involving extreme temperatures, but they do not describe the residue effects from close-range gunfire. Pitting refers to the physical damage caused by the bullet itself, which can occur, but it does not capture the characteristic appearance related to the deposition of gunshot residue, making blackening the defining feature in this context.