What is typically identified in an exit wound from a gunshot?

In the context of a gunshot wound, an exit wound is predominantly characterized by the presence of gunshot residue. When a bullet exits the body, it may carry traces of particulate matter that originate from the primer, powder, and the bullet itself. This residue can provide significant investigative information pertaining to the shooting incident, such as determining the distance from which the gun was fired and assessing whether a person had discharged a firearm.

The presence of gunshot residue in the area surrounding the exit wound can also be used to evaluate the relationship between the shooter and the victim and can indicate whether the shooter was in close proximity during the shooting.

While other potential options might seem plausible — for instance, soft tissue damage is indeed a consequence of the bullet's path, and the type of bullet might be determined from ballistic analysis — these features are not as definitive or characteristic in identifying exit wounds compared to the clear presence of gunshot residue. Similarly, an entrance wound would not be identified as part of an exit wound's characteristics. Thus, gunshot residue emerges as the most pertinent and specific identification linked to exit wounds.