Citation

DiMaio VJ. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 1981; 2(2): 107-110.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7304523

Abstract

A review of the literature on perforation of skin by bullets and missiles indicates that there is a range of velocity below which a missile cannot perforate the skin. Velocities of between 38.1 and 61.6 meters/second (125 and 202 ft./second) will produce at least minimal damage to the surface of the skin, though without perforation. In order for a missile to perforate the skin and enter the underlying subcutaneous tissue and muscle, a minimum velocity in the order of 70 meters/second (230 ft./second) is necessary with an energy/area of presentation of approximately 2.1 m-kg/cm2.

Language: en