Skip to content

Secondary missile

A bone fragment or other dense internal body component that is driven by bullet impact to become a projectile in its own right, causing wound tracts distinct from the primary bullet track. Most significant with large cortical bones (femur, pelvis, skull). Identified on pre-dissection radiograph as irregular dense fragments at a distance from the primary wound channel.

Explained in

Related terms

Your journey to becoming a forensic professional starts here.

Practice with mock tests, learn from structured notes, and get your questions answered by a global forensic community, all in one place.