Three-dimensional computer graphic modeling of ballistic injuries.

Multiple variables affect the tissue destruction caused by missiles, and the interaction of these variables is incompletely understood. The recently developed technology of computerized solid modeling now makes it possible to analyze these parameters in three dimensions. A technique for creating solid models of organic structures is described. The tissues within the boundaries thus defined are ascribed physical attributes by means of finite element analysis with data derived from empirical studies. An interactive user-friendly program is being developed combining this modeling with a probabilistic scheme (Monte Carlo simulation) to describe a variety of wounding scenarios. The data from these predictions will be compared with information from wound registries and the model refined until it can project consistently accurate patterns of injury.