Hit-scanning, is the term you're looking for. And there's nothing wrong with it, when the conditions are optional at least. Basically, when you fire a shot, the game makes checks. Did A (representing your shot) hit B (nothing), C (a wall), or D (a damageable target)? If yes to say, D, target takes X amount of damage, including variable modifiers. X damage is then relayed (almost) instantly to you as a whatever damage you dealt/took. What happens in Destiny is that that calculation gets delayed thanks to [spoiler]sh*tty servers[/spoiler] poor connections, and you end up seeing it well enough after the fact, leading to postmortem kills and seemingly getting shot through geography. The only weapons in Destiny that don't abide by that are Rockets and Fusion Rifles, and Vestian Dynasty.