Dr. Lebaquin and Dr. Lagonera testified in the Senate hearing that the shape of the entry wound was oval.  This finding of both medico-legal experts was very significant.  First, the direction of the bullet path from the muzzle of the gun to the entry wound was not directly perpendicular with respect to the head but oblique and diagonal.  Secondly and more important, the wound was not due to a close contact fire. The explanation of this was that in close contact fire, the entry wound was stellite in shape. The reason being the explosive force of the gunpowder combination destroys in all directions the tissues surrounding the entry wound.  It was not the bullet slug producing the stellite shape of the entry wound in contact fire but the tremendous combustible force of the gunpowder.  In cases of the non-contact fire, the shape of the bullet slug coming from the gun forms the entry wound.  These findings belie therefore any theory of contact fire and therefore undermine any evidence supporting suicide.

(By medico-legal panel’s memorandum to the Senate committee)

Note: picture was a test experiment showing the different shape of entry wound for contact firing, near contact and distance of at least six (6) inches and further.