A bullet fired from a weapon creates a temporary cavity as it passes through soft tissue. The temporary cavity results from:

• A High-velocity energy transfer causing outward radial tissue stretching beyond the permanent wound channel ✓
• B The direct crush of tissue by the bullet's frontal surface
• C Radial displacement of tissue by the sonic pressure wave ahead of the bullet
• D Cavitation caused by gas from the propellant entering the wound track

Explanation

The temporary (dynamic) cavity results from the rapid lateral displacement of tissue radially outward from the bullet's path due to kinetic energy transfer at high velocity; the tissue then recoils inward, creating a cavity that is much larger than the permanent wound channel. This temporary cavity can lacerate structures distant from the bullet track. Direct crush of tissue by the bullet constitutes the permanent cavity. The sonic pressure wave (shock wave) travels ahead but causes minimal injury compared to the temporary cavity in most modern high-velocity rifle rounds. Propellant gas only enters wounds at very close range.

Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.