Death by black powder revolver: a case report.

Deaths resulting from the use of black powder handguns are relatively uncommon compared to other firearms. We report the case of a 48 year-old woman who sustained a lethal gunshot wound to the face from a black powder revolver. Autopsy revealed extensive soot and powder deposition around the entrance wound between the right eye and nose with perforation of the skull and brain. The exit wound also contained evidence of soot. Discussion of this characteristic pattern of discharge deposition from black powder weapons is presented.