In terminal ballistics, 'yaw' and 'tumbling' of a bullet within body tissues is MOST responsible for:

• A The Doppler effect causing ultrasonic tissue disruption at a distance from the bullet path
• B Fragmentation of the bullet on contact with cortical bone
• C The abrasion collar at the entry wound
• D The creation of a temporary cavity whose diameter can be 10–30 times the bullet calibre in high-velocity wounds ✓

Explanation

In high-velocity gunshot wounds (velocity >600 m/s), bullet yaw (angular deviation from flight axis) and tumbling within tissues cause severe radial displacement of tissues, creating a large temporary cavity that may be 10–30 times the bullet's calibre. The temporary cavity forms and collapses within microseconds; tissue damage extends well beyond the permanent crush cavity via hydraulic and hydrostatic shockwave mechanisms. This explains why high-velocity rifle wounds cause devastating tissue destruction despite a relatively small permanent cavity. The abrasion collar at entry is caused by friction of the bullet against skin, unrelated to yaw.

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.