xii, 57 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / The goals of this study are to assess a) the role of mass and velocity on the size of entrance wounds, b) the presence or absence and types of exit wounds, and c) the role of gender in choosing to commit suicide with a firearm. The results of an ANOVA revealed that the combination of a bullet’s mass and the relative velocity of the weapon is the most significant factor in entrance wound size. A logistic regression found that mass plays the most significant role in the presence of an exit wound. When considered separately, velocity had a more significant effect on exit type than did mass. The study also found that being male increases the odds that a firearm will be chosen to commit suicide. Handguns and the head were the most common choices for weapon and wound location, respectively, in both firearm suicides and homicides. / Committee in charge: Dr. John Lukacs, Chairperson; Dr. Andrew Karduna, Member; Dr. David Levin, Member