Wounds in Their Medicolegal Relations (Continued) [excerpt]

     Attention need hardly be called to the fact that the direction of the track of the bullet through the tissues frequently [355][356] fails to correspond with the direction of the line of fire. Bullets are readily diverted from their course; a very slight obstacle suffices to change their direction; bone, fascia, or any other resisting tissues readily give a new course. This is particularly true of round bullets. The deviation may occur immediately on entering the body, or in any part of the course. Wounds of the abdomen are probably the most difficult to follow. This is because, in addition to the ready deflection of the bullet, the organs are constantly shifting position. Through these causes search for the missile at the autopsy after a fatal pistol-shot wound of the abdomen is always a matter of difficulty, frequently a fruitless task. Such was the case at the autopsy of President McKinley. Prolonged search failed to find the missile after it had passed through the stomach and pancreas and had grazed the kidney.