[The dynamics of projectile wounding. Concepts in ballistic injuries]

Analysis of the structure and terminal ballistic behavior of bullets provides a better understanding of their wounding power. The studies of ballistics specialists serve as a base. The concept of "scientific shot" remains an intellectual approach to a random phenomenon. Wound ballistic studies examine the behavior of projectiles in vivo or in a simulation medium. War events, in which projectiles do not meet requirements of international conventions, sport or hunting accidents, urban violence may confront the surgeon with various types of ballistic pathologies. The appropriate saying of Lindsey that the surgeons has to treat a wound and not a weapon should not justify etiologic ignorance.