ABSTRACT
Tissue damage is determined by the amount of kinetic energy imparted to surrounding tissue by the bullet. Bullet mass and velocity determine the kinetic energy at the time
of impact. Of these two factors, velocity is usually the most important. Bullet mass varies by ammunition construction, and velocity varies by weapon type. e longer the weapon barrel, usually the higher the bullet velocity, which is measured in feet or meters per second. Most riŒes have a higher muzzle velocity than handguns and shotguns. As a general rule, high-velocity weapons will cause more tissue damage
than low-velocity weapons. Other factors that contribute to the degree of tissue damage include kinetic energy loss as a function of bullet shape, tumbling (yaw), and the density of the interacting tissue.
