What Is Wound Tunneling?

Wound tunneling is a condition often brought on by an infection and is marked by the destruction of tissue around the infected area. This is a potentially serious condition that requires professional medical treatment. In forensic science wound tunneling is the affect an impacting bullet has on the soft tissues of the body such as muscle.

Causes

• People who develop chronic infections such as "bed sores" may be susceptible to wound tunneling also known as pressure ulcers.

Treatment

• Treatment for wound tunneling involves careful wound management to limit the tissue damage and control the underlying infections that often cause the condition. For example, wound management would involve repositioning a patient frequently so their ulcer would not be subjected to too much pressure and too little ventilation.

Forensics

• In the study of gunshot wounds wound tunneling is a phenomenon that occurs when a bullet enters soft tissue such as muscles and organs. As the bullet travels through the tissues a channel is left behind caused by the destruction and displacement of tissue.

Gunshot wounds

• The tunneling effects of gunshots wounds have been studied extensively on gunshot victims and with the use of ballistic gelatin dummies, most notably in the case of the assassination of John Kennedy.

Treatment and Prevention

• Pressure ulcers can become a chronic condition if not treated properly. Treatment can range from basic wound management to surgery. Prevention is the best approach and is often a matter of frequent and careful repositioning of patients who are confined to bed and attention to proper hygiene.