Mr. Specter. Dr. Baxter, is there a channel through which the bullet could have passed in the general direction which I have described to you where there would be very few tissues and virtually no tissues of great density?
Dr. Baxter. Yes; passing through the fascial plane which you have described, it could well not have these things happen to it, so that it would pass directly through—almost as if passing through a sheet of paper and the wound of exit would be no larger than the wound we saw.
Mr. Specter. What would the situation there be as to the shock wave which you have heretofore described?
Dr. Baxter. There would be a large amount of tissue damage which is not ordinarily seen immediately after a bullet has passed through. This is damage that is recognized several days later.
Mr. Specter. What causes the shock waves there, Doctor?
Dr. Baxter. This is just the velocity imparting pressure to surrounding tissues which damages them. It does not show, however, in the early course after a missile has passed through.
Mr. Specter. Well, would the shock waves have any effect upon the size, and nature of the hole of exit?
Dr. Baxter. No.
Mr. Specter. And if the bullet passed through the fascial plane without striking tissues of great density, would it have a tendency to tumble at all?
Dr. Baxter. No, it would not.