Connecticut Shooting: Examining Death from Gunshot

Our hearts still pour out to the victim of the sad occurrence in Connecticut. Here, we examine the Medical effects of a gunshot wound and how death occurs from a gunshot.


The term ballistic trauma or gunshot wound (GSW) refers to a form of physical trauma sustained from the discharge of arms or munitions.The most common forms of ballistic trauma stem from firearms used in armed conflicts, civilian sporting and recreational pursuits, and criminal activity. Ballistic trauma is sometimes fatal for the recipient, or causes long term negative consequences

The immediate damaging effect of the bullet is typically severe bleeding, and with it the potential for hypovolemic shock, a condition characterized by inadequate delivery of oxygen to vital organs. In the case of traumatic hypovolemic shock, this failure of adequate oxygen delivery is due to blood loss, as blood is the means of delivering oxygen to the body's constituent parts.

Immediate effects can result when a bullet strikes a critical organ such as the heart or damages the spine or brain. Common causes of death following gunshot injury include exsanguination (bleeding to death), hypoxia (reduced oxygen delivery to organs and tissues) caused by pneumothorax (air rushing into the chest cavity and compressing the lungs), catastrophic injury to the heart and larger blood vessels, and damage to the brain or central nervous system.

Additionally, gunshot wounds typically involve a large degree of nearby tissue disruption and destruction due to the physical effects of the projectile. Non-fatal gunshot wounds can result in serious disability.
Gunshot injuries can vary widely from case to case since the location of the injury can be in any part of the body, with wide variations in entry point. Also, the path and possible fragmentation of the bullet within the body is unpredictable.

Non-fatal gunshot wounds frequently have severe and long-lasting effects, even after the victim has made a successful recovery. Typically, the consequences involve some form of major disfigurement and/or permanent disability. Unfortunately, the gunshot wounds of Connecticut School Shooting was fatal.

Culled from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_trauma