http://www.relentlessdefense.com/forensics/gunshot-wounds/
“Gunshot wounds can be classified based on the range from the muzzle of the gun to the target. These classifications include contact, near-contact, intermediate, and distant wounds.”
“...In near-contact wounds, the muzzle is not in contact with the skin, but is very close. In this case, the powder grains do not have a chance to disperse and leave a powder tattooing. The entrance wound is surrounded by a wide zone of powder soot, and seared, blackened skin. In intermediate-range wounds, the muzzle is held away from the skin but close enough that it still produces powder tattooing. This type of wound is also characterized by numerous reddish-brown to orange-red lesions around the entrance to the wound.”
“The passage of a bullet through clothing can alter the appearance of the wound and cause the examiner to reach different conclusions regarding factors such as the range of the gunshot. When there is clothing between the firearm and the skin, you will not find soot and powder on the skin, and searing is lessened or can be prevented. Therefore, the usual methods of determining the distance of the shooter from the victim cannot be used. Whether the powder passes through the clothing depends on the material, the number of layers of clothing, and the form of the powder. Ball powder can penetrate up to three layers of clothing, while flake powder may fail to penetrate a single layer.
“Gunshot wounds through clothing can be telling, however, in that they can help determine the physical position the victim was in when he or she was shot. By lining up the holes in the clothing with the entrance and exit wounds, it can be determined whether the victim was sitting, standing, slouched, or in another position.”
Good info... Thanks
Thanks for looking up what “intermediate range” means.
So intermediate range includes very close ranges, just not so close that the muzzle is up against the skin. This seems consistent with Zimmerman's account.
A water repellant hoodie is probably reasonably resistant to powder penetration.