It's a lot of fun to remove bullets. In general, once the bullet has done its initial damage, it does not do any further harm to the individual. Exceptions include the possibility of lead poisoning and bullet migration, which can cause strokes if the bullet becomes lodged in other arteries. Removing bullets may help prevent these complications. As long as the bullet is still inside the body, it is possible to remove it. The best time to do this is while the patient is still alive. Doctors use various tools for removal including snares, drills, and lasers. Some patients require more than one tool to successfully remove all of their bullets. After the patient has died, doctors also use tools such as scalpels, clippers, and forceps to remove bullets. This is usually done at autopsy by medical professionals who have been trained in gunshot wound pathology. Bullets are classified by type and caliber. Type refers to the material from which the bullet is made. Common types include lead, steel, rubber, glass, and wood. Caliber is the measure of the hole that the bullet creates when it enters your body. A.22 rifle bullet has a smaller diameter than a.45 pistol bullet, for example. Bullets are also rated by speed; the faster the bullet, the more damage it can do before slowing down. The location of the bullet determines what body part it hurts when you're shot.