[Gunshot wounds, firearms and wound ballistics]

In the Netherlands the majority of gunshot wounds are caused by hand guns with a low firing velocity, such as pistols and revolvers, in which the severity of the injuries caused is primarily determined by whether or not vital structures are hit. With these sorts of wounds the removal of debris as equally the bullet is not usually necessary. For firearms with a high firing velocity the wounds are more severe due to the greater quantity of kinetic energy transferred to the tissues. As a result of this, cavitations and damage due to secondary projectiles can occur. The extensive removal of debris can be necessary in such cases. The severity of the wounds caused by a shotgun depends mainly on the distance from the shooter. For shotgun wounds incurred at a short distance it is necessary to ascertain whether the plastic pellet has ended up in the wound.