This paper describes a methodology to estimate embedded activity of ²⁴¹Am and Pu isotopes in a wound at an unknown depth. Theoretical calibration of an array of high-purity germanium detectors is carried out using the Monte Carlo code ‘FLUKA’ for a ²⁴¹Am source embedded at different depths in a soft tissue phantom of dimension 10x10x4 cm³ simulating the palm of a worker. It is observed that, in the case of contamination due to pure ²⁴¹Am, the ratio of counts in 59.5 and 17.8 keV (Ratio 1) should be used to evaluate the depth, whereas the ratio of counts in 59.5 and 26.3 keV (Ratio 2) should be used when the contamination is due to a mixture of Pu and ²⁴¹Am compounds. Variations in the calibration factors (CFs) as well as in the Ratio 1 and Ratio 2 values are insignificant when source dimensions are varied from a point source to a 15-mm diameter circle. It is observed that tissue-equivalent polymethyl methacrylate material can be used in the phantom to estimate the embedded activity, when the activity is located at a depth of <1 cm, as the corresponding CFs do not show much variation with respect to those estimated using the phantom containing soft tissue material. In all other cases, an appropriate soft tissue-equivalent material should be used in the phantom for the estimation of CFs and ratios. The CFs thus obtained will be helpful in an accurate estimation of the depth of the wound and the activity embedded therein in the palm of a radiation worker.