The term "stippling" in relation to a gunshot wound primarily refers to:

Stippling refers to the pattern created by unburned particles from gunpowder that can be found on the skin around a gunshot wound. This phenomenon occurs when a firearm is discharged close to a target, causing the hot gases and debris from the gunpowder to impact the skin. The presence of stippling can provide important forensic information regarding the distance from which a gun was fired, as stippling is typically observed at shorter ranges, especially when a weapon is discharged at a distance closer than three feet. This evidence helps law enforcement and forensic experts ascertain the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident.