Amy Pullen1, David C Kieser2, Gary Hooper2. 1. Department of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine, P O Box 4545, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand. a.pullen@dta.mil.nz. 2. Department of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine, P O Box 4545, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In ballistic testing and forensic reconstruction, there is a need to use repeatable and consistent simulants. While synthetic bone is mechanically similar to human bone, it does not have the same viscoelastic properties. In high-energy impact such as ballistic impacts, bone acts as a stiff, brittle material and fails instantaneously. Therefore, a suitable simulant for use in ballistic testing should have comparable energy deposition to mammalian bones. This preliminary study aims to determine if Synbone® could be a viable proxy for Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs in ballistic testing. METHODOLOGY: Three thickness of Synbone® were embedded into 10% ballistic gelatin and shot using 5.56-mm ammunition. The models were then analysed to compare the Synbone® to a previous Sus scrofa (domesticus) rib study and focused on the number of fragments within the block, energy deposition, onset of yaw, angle of deviation, the temporary cavity as a percentage of the block and the depth to the temporary cavity centre, depth to maximum gelatin disruption and the permanent wound channel, including shear planes and wound tract diameter. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the metrics that were compared between Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs and the three thicknesses of Synbone®, except for a significant difference in the depth to maximum gelatin disruption between the 6 mm (p = 0.009) and 12 mm plate (p = 0.007) and the Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the 5-mm Synbone® plate is a suitable proxy for Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs for use with 5.56-mm OTM ammunition in ballistic testing.
BACKGROUND: In ballistic testing and forensic reconstruction, there is a need to use repeatable and consistent simulants. While synthetic bone is mechanically similar to human bone, it does not have the same viscoelastic properties. In high-energy impact such as ballistic impacts, bone acts as a stiff, brittle material and fails instantaneously. Therefore, a suitable simulant for use in ballistic testing should have comparable energy deposition to mammalian bones. This preliminary study aims to determine if Synbone® could be a viable proxy for Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs in ballistic testing. METHODOLOGY: Three thickness of Synbone® were embedded into 10% ballistic gelatin and shot using 5.56-mm ammunition. The models were then analysed to compare the Synbone® to a previous Sus scrofa (domesticus) rib study and focused on the number of fragments within the block, energy deposition, onset of yaw, angle of deviation, the temporary cavity as a percentage of the block and the depth to the temporary cavity centre, depth to maximum gelatin disruption and the permanent wound channel, including shear planes and wound tract diameter. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the metrics that were compared between Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs and the three thicknesses of Synbone®, except for a significant difference in the depth to maximum gelatin disruption between the 6 mm (p = 0.009) and 12 mm plate (p = 0.007) and the Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the 5-mm Synbone® plate is a suitable proxy for Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs for use with 5.56-mm OTM ammunition in ballistic testing.
Authors: Debra Carr; Jules Kieser; Alexander Mabbott; Charlotte Mott; Stephen Champion; Elizabeth Girvan Journal: Int J Legal Med Date: 2013-04-19 Impact factor: 2.686
Authors: Jules A Kieser; Joy Tahere; Caitlin Agnew; David C Kieser; Warwick Duncan; Michael V Swain; Matthew T Reeves Journal: Forensic Sci Med Pathol Date: 2011-05-01 Impact factor: 2.007