I uploaded a colour photo of the marks on Nevills back to GTP4 and asked it what was the cause and then asked two follow up questions.
"In this color image, the wounds are clearly visible, and the ruler provides a scale that helps estimate their size. Here are some observations:
Size and Shape: The lesions measure approximately 10 to 15 mm in diameter based on the ruler next to the skin. The circular and somewhat raised appearance could suggest infection or trauma as a cause.
Color: The dark, almost black centers of the wounds could indicate necrotic tissue, which is common in skin ulcers, bites, or advanced infections. The surrounding skin appears somewhat inflamed, though not extremely red, which may indicate the body’s attempt to heal or manage the damage.
Cause: Given the shape, size, and darkened centers, these lesions could be the result of a venomous insect bite, like from a spider (e.g., brown recluse spider bite), or possibly due to infected traumatic wounds or burns. Necrotic wounds like these can also occur in conditions like pyoderma gangrenosum or other ulcerative skin conditions.
Other Possible Causes: If these lesions developed over time rather than appearing suddenly, other medical conditions such as infections (e.g., bacterial or fungal), vascular issues, or autoimmune diseases could be involved.
The dark coloration in the center and size of the lesions seem more consistent with necrosis, possibly secondary to a bite or severe infection. A definitive diagnosis would require a medical professional’s evaluation, possibly including a biopsy or lab tests to identify any toxins or infectious agents involved."
I then asked - "could they have been caused by a heated rifle barrel pressed against the skin?"
"Yes, the marks in the images could potentially be caused by a heated rifle barrel pressed against the skin. Here's how this explanation fits the observed characteristics:
Shape: The lesions are circular and uniform, which could correspond to the circular shape of a rifle barrel. If the hot barrel were pressed against the skin, it could cause burns that take on the shape of the contact area.
Size: The lesions appear to be about 10 to 15 mm in diameter, which is consistent with the diameter of many rifle barrels.
Color and Appearance: Burns from a heated object can cause necrosis (death of skin tissue), leading to black or darkened areas at the center of the wound, similar to what is seen here. As the skin is burned, the center of the wound becomes charred or dead, while the surrounding area may become inflamed or red. Over time, the dead tissue can darken as it undergoes necrosis.
Pattern: The fact that there are three similar marks in a vertical alignment could suggest intentional or repeated contact, possibly consistent with the barrel of a rifle being pressed against the skin in multiple places.
Summary
The shape, size, and appearance of the lesions are consistent with burns caused by a hot cylindrical object, such as a rifle barrel. However, burns typically cause significant pain and can lead to serious infections or complications if not treated. If this is indeed the cause, medical care is important to ensure proper healing and prevent complications."
I then asked "could they be from a surgical procedure?"
"It is less likely that these specific marks are the result of surgery based on the following observations:
Shape and Arrangement: The lesions are round, fairly uniform, and appear in a vertical pattern. Surgical scars typically vary in shape depending on the procedure, but they are usually incisions, which would look more like linear scars rather than circular ones. Circular wounds are less common in surgery unless it's a very specific procedure like biopsy punches or excisions of lesions, and even then, the marks would likely be cleaner and not necrotic in appearance.
Necrotic Tissue: The dark, necrotic centers seen here are more characteristic of trauma, burns, or infections than of typical surgical wounds. While surgical wounds can sometimes get infected or necrotic if complications arise, the blackened, dead tissue seen in these lesions points more toward injury or trauma rather than routine surgery.
Size and Uniformity: The wounds are relatively similar in size and shape, which is unusual for surgical marks. Surgical wounds typically vary in size depending on the procedure and the area being treated. Additionally, surgeries usually involve stitches, sutures, or staples, leaving behind different kinds of scarring.
Healing Pattern: Surgical wounds generally have a more organized healing process if managed properly. The lesions here look more like traumatic injuries that may not have been managed with proper medical care immediately after they occurred, or they could be from another source (burns, bites, or infection).
Summary
While surgery can leave scars or lesions, the pattern, necrosis, and size of these particular marks do not strongly suggest surgical origins. Instead, they are more consistent with burns, traumatic injuries, or possibly infected wounds. If surgery did occur in the area, it might have been complicated by infection or improper healing, but the wounds themselves don't resemble typical surgical scars."
