International Journal of Medical Toxicology & Legal Medicine

Ballistics is the scientific study of the movement of objects through the air; wound ballistics is an essential part of forensic ballistics and specifically is related to terminal ballistics. The wound examination helps us to determine the angle of impact, range of fire, the direction of impact and the type of firearm used. This in turn helps to establish the cause, nature and manner of the firing. In this review, the wound ballistics, its epidemiology has been discussed. Furthermore, types of injuries, identification of injuries, and mechanism of tissue damage have been explained. The studies have been delineated from early years to till now. It has been found that expansion, fragmentation and its pattern and penetrating depth of bullets can be researched upon and can provide a foundation for determination of bullet types in a firearm crime. Advances in radiologic imaging is very promising, such as Computed Tomography technology, that allow for the assessment of the density and thickness of various body tissues. By analyzing these results, the anatomy of the human body can be reproduced using ballistic gel to simulate the path of a bullet. Biomedical engineering has made significant contributions to improving safety and preventing trauma. By studying the biomechanics of penetrating injuries, it is possible to understand the relationship between the type, caliber, and velocity of a missile and the damage it causes to hard and soft tissues.This provides valuable information for medical professionals treating injuries caused by ballistic weapons and for law enforcement investigating firearm crimes. A case study has been explained to give an idea about how the wound examination gave a lead in criminal investigation, demonstrating the importance of wound ballistics in establishing the origin of entry and exit wounds.