What type of wound is characterized by a smaller entrance and a larger, beveled exit wound?

A wound that is characterized by a smaller entrance and a larger, beveled exit wound is indicative of a gunshot wound. When a projectile, such as a bullet, enters the body, it creates a small entrance wound that is typically clean and round. As the bullet travels through the tissues and exits the body, it leaves a larger exit wound because of the velocity and energy transfer. The beveled edges around the exit wound are often a result of the tissue being displaced outward as the bullet exits, reflecting the dynamics of how bullets function during penetration.

In contrast, blunt-force trauma usually does not create a clear entrance or exit wound, as it involves impact with a dull, flat object which can cause lacerations or contusions without a definitive hole. Sharp-force trauma typically results in wounds that have a more uniform appearance in size or may involve specific shapes such as stab wounds, which do not match the profile of a gunshot wound. Compression trauma generally describes injuries resulting from squeezing force, leading to fractures or similar damage, again not fitting the characteristics of a gunshot wound.