In a contact shot to a victim, what is found within the barrel of the handgun called?

In the context of a contact shot, the term used to describe the material found within the barrel of the handgun is specifically referred to as backspatter. Backspatter occurs when a bullet penetrates the skin and creates a wound channel, allowing blood and other biological materials to travel backward into the barrel of the firearm. This phenomenon is a result of the force imparted by the bullet as it exits the muzzle and interacts with the victim's tissues.

Understanding backspatter is crucial in forensic investigations, as it can provide vital evidence about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the position of the firearm and the victim at the time of the shot. Analyzing this particular type of residue can help crime scene analysts establish a more comprehensive picture of the event.

Other terms such as blood spatter, forensic fluid, and biological residue, while related to the general study of blood and bodily fluids in crime scene analysis, do not specifically refer to the unique phenomenon associated with the barrel after a contact shot. Thus, backspatter is the correct term to use in this scenario.