Which type of black discoloration on the skin from a gunshot wound can be wiped off?

The correct choice relates to the phenomenon referred to as blackening, which occurs when a gunshot wound produces a dark discoloration on the skin due to the deposition of soot, gunpowder residues, and other materials from the discharge of the firearm. This blackening can be wiped off the skin, as it is not a permanent alteration of the skin's texture or structure but rather a superficial layer of particles that can be removed with gentle cleaning.

Tattooing, on the other hand, occurs when small particles enter the skin from the projectile, resulting in a more permanent marking that cannot be wiped away. Charring refers to the burning of the skin, which results in a deeper and more serious injury that is irreversible, while scarring is the formation of fibrous tissue as the body heals from deeper wounds. Scars are also permanent and cannot be wiped away. Thus, blackening is distinct in its nature by being a removable layer, highlighting why it is the correct answer in this context.