What are the characteristics considered in the terminal ballistics phase?

In the terminal ballistics phase, the primary focus is on understanding how a bullet behaves once it has struck a target, particularly a living being. The characteristics that are critical in this phase include permanent tissue damage, which refers to the damage done to vital organs and tissues that can result in serious injury or death; shot placement, which is crucial as it determines the efficacy of the bullet's impact on vital anatomical structures; and the psychological impact of gunfire on both the individual being shot and any witnesses. These aspects collectively provide a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness and consequences of the bullet's impact, which are essential for law enforcement training and tactics.

The other options consider factors that are less relevant to the direct effects of a bullet once it has entered a target. For example, while speed can influence the bullet's performance, it is not the only factor that defines terminal ballistics. Similarly, trajectory and barrel pressure relate more to the bullet's behavior before impact rather than the results of the impact itself. Finally, distance traveled and bullet shape can affect penetration and expansion characteristics but do not directly address the resulting injuries or effects on the target, which are priority concerns in terminal ballistics.