Editing Sniper (section)

===Shot placement===
Shot placement, which is where on the body the sniper is aiming, varies with the type of sniper. Military snipers, who generally do not shoot at targets at less than {{convert|300|m|yd|abbr=on}}, usually attempt body shots, aiming at the chest. These shots depend on tissue damage, organ trauma, and [[Bleeding|blood loss]] to kill the target. Body shots are used because the chest is a larger target.

Police snipers, who generally shoot at much shorter distances, may attempt a more precise shot at particular parts of body or particular devices: in one incident in 2007 in [[Marseille]], a [[GIPN]] sniper took a shot from {{convert|80|m|yd|abbr=on}} at the pistol of a police officer threatening to commit suicide, destroying the weapon and preventing the police officer from killing himself.<ref name="www.laprovence.com">{{cite web|date= 2 August 2007|url = http://www.laprovence.com/article/region/jai-fait-mouche-sur-son-arme-a-80-metres-pour-le-sauver|title =J'ai fait mouche sur son arme à 80 mètres pour le sauver (ENG:I hit his weapon at 80 meters to save him)|publisher = laprovence.com| access-date = 14 May 2010| last=Pardini| first= Sèverine }}</ref>

In high-risk or hostage situations where a suspect is threatening to immenently kill a hostage, police snipers may take head shots to ensure an instant kill. The snipers aim for the [[medulla oblongata]] to sever the spine from the brain. While this is believed to prevent the target from reflexively firing their weapon, there is evidence that any brain-hit is sufficient.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sniper: SAS and Elite Forces Guide|author=Martin J Dougherty|year=2012|publisher=Amber Books|isbn=9781909160385|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j1Dm6EnU7mkC&q=sniper+medulla+oblongata&pg=PT205|access-date=12 January 2018}}</ref>