Most bullets made of lead alloy

Primarily with high velocity missiles

• Primarily with high velocity missiles

• Low velocity missiles tend to push tissue aside

• Path of destruction only slightly larger than bullet

High energy

• High energy

• Energy is dissipated forward and laterally away from the bullet and tract
• At high velocity the cavity continues to enlarge even after bullet has passed

Cavity is sub atmospheric

• Cavity is sub atmospheric

• (negative pressure)
• Sucks air and debris from both ends

• Initial cavity is temporary

• Collapse and reforms repeatedly with diminished amplitude

• Results in greater tissue damage to inelastic tisse (liver, spleen) than elastic tissue (e.g. lung)

• Missile path that remains is permanent cavity