[al103]

Yes, it can. It clearly can have both kinetic effect (numerous examples) and damaging effect (Vice's sister's eye, Sacred Cluster description, etc). Actually by descriptions it's effort to make it nonlethal which is actually harder than kill somebody... at least before protection kicks in, barrier jacket can take some serious pounding even if mage loses consciousness in the process. Also I DO NOT see why if something can disintegrate inorganic matter it can't disintegrate organic one.