Schotverwondingen, vuurwapens en wondballistiek

- 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.