Gunshot energy transfer profile in ballistic gelatine, determined with computed tomography using the total crack length method

Bolliger, Stephan A.; Thali, Michael J.; Bolliger, Michael; Kneubuehl, Beat P.

doi:10.1007/s00414-010-0503-z

Cited by 40 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…For gelatin the total crack length, i.e. the amount of fissures, can be assessed as an estimate of the wound damage by cutting or non-destructive imaging [47], [48].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of Lead-Free versus Lead-Based Hunting Ammunition in Ballistic Soap

Gremse¹,

Krone²,

Thamm³

et al. 2014

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundLead-free hunting bullets are an alternative to lead-containing bullets which cause health risks for humans and endangered scavenging raptors through lead ingestion. However, doubts concerning the effectiveness of lead-free hunting bullets hinder the wide-spread acceptance in the hunting and wildlife management community.MethodsWe performed terminal ballistic experiments under standardized conditions with ballistic soap as surrogate for game animal tissue to characterize dimensionally stable, partially fragmenting, and deforming lead-free bullets and one commonly used lead-containing bullet. The permanent cavities created in soap blocks are used as a measure for the potential wound damage. The soap blocks were imaged using computed tomography to assess the volume and shape of the cavity and the number of fragments. Shots were performed at different impact speeds, covering a realistic shooting range. Using 3D image segmentation, cavity volume, metal fragment count, deflection angle, and depth of maximum damage were determined. Shots were repeated to investigate the reproducibility of ballistic soap experiments.ResultsAll bullets showed an increasing cavity volume with increasing deposited energy. The dimensionally stable and fragmenting lead-free bullets achieved a constant conversion ratio while the deforming copper and lead-containing bullets showed a ratio, which increases linearly with the total deposited energy. The lead-containing bullet created hundreds of fragments and significantly more fragments than the lead-free bullets. The deflection angle was significantly higher for the dimensionally stable bullet due to its tumbling behavior and was similarly low for the other bullets. The deforming bullets achieved higher reproducibility than the fragmenting and dimensionally stable bullets.ConclusionThe deforming lead-free bullet closely resembled the deforming lead-containing bullet in terms of energy conversion, deflection angle, cavity shape, and reproducibility, showing that similar terminal ballistic behavior can be achieved. Furthermore, the volumetric image processing allowed superior analysis compared to methods that involve cutting of the soap blocks.

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“…For gelatin the total crack length, i.e. the amount of fissures, can be assessed as an estimate of the wound damage by cutting or non-destructive imaging [47], [48].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of Lead-Free versus Lead-Based Hunting Ammunition in Ballistic Soap

Gremse¹,

Krone²,

Thamm³

et al. 2014

PLoS ONE

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“…Rutty et al reported that the properties of gelatin blocks such as those used in our study make them an ideal model for investigations of the temporary wound cavity and possible cavitation effects [19]. The use of multi-slice CT imaging for detecting the presence of total crack lengths has been proved to be a reliable method of investigations of terminal ballistics [20]. Furthermore barium titanate particles in the wound allowed us to reliably analyze the contamination of wounds by exogenous particles and to determine the spatial distribution of these particles in relation to the bullet path.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Designing the ideal model for assessment of wound contamination after gunshot injuries: a comparative experimental study

et al. 2012

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BackgroundModern high-velocity projectiles produce temporary cavities and can thus cause extensive tissue destruction along the bullet path. It is still unclear whether gelatin blocks, which are used as a well-accepted tissue simulant, allow the effects of projectiles to be adequately investigated and how these effects are influenced by caliber size.MethodBarium titanate particles were distributed throughout a test chamber for an assessment of wound contamination. We fired .22-caliber Magnum bullets first into gelatin blocks and then into porcine hind limbs placed behind the chamber. Two other types of bullets (.222-caliber bullets and 6.5 × 57 mm cartridges) were then shot into porcine hind limbs. Permanent and temporary wound cavities as well as the spatial distribution of barium titanate particles in relation to the bullet path were evaluated radiologically.ResultsA comparison of the gelatin blocks and hind limbs showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the mean results for all parameters. There were significant differences between the bullets of different calibers in the depth to which barium titanate particles penetrated the porcine hind limbs. Almost no particles, however, were found at a penetration depth of 10 cm or more. By contrast, gas cavities were detected along the entire bullet path.ConclusionGelatin is only of limited value for evaluating the path of high-velocity projectiles and the contamination of wounds by exogenous particles. There is a direct relationship between the presence of gas cavities in the tissue along the bullet path and caliber size. These cavities, however, are only mildly contaminated by exogenous particles.

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“…The successful application of radiological imaging to ballistic models has been described by several groups [3,[5][6][7], and we already discussed the feasibility of using CT for the examination of ballistic head models [3]. However, it had not been put into practice before.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Combined radio-colour contrast in the examination of ballistic head models

et al. 2012

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The conventional analysis of ballistic gelatine is performed by transillumination and scanning of 1-cm-thick slices. Previous research demonstrated the advantages of colour and radio contrast in gelatine for computed tomography (CT). The aim of this study was to determine whether this method could be applied to head models in order to facilitate their examination. Four head models of about 14 cm in diameter were prepared from two acryl hollow spheres and two polypropylene hollow spheres. Acryl paint was mixed with barium meal and sealed in a thin foil bag which was attached to the gelatine-filled sphere which was covered with about 3-mm-thick silicone. The head models were shot at using 9 mm × 19 expanding bullets from 4 m distance. The models were examined via multislice CT. The gelatine core was removed; the bullet track was photographed and cut into consecutive slices which were scanned optically. CT images were processed with Corel Photo-Paint. Optical and radiological images were analysed using the AxioVision software. The disruption of the gelatine within the head model was visualised by extensive distribution of paint up to the end of the finest cracks and fissures and along the whole bullet track. CT imaging with excellent radio contrast in the gelatine cracks caused by the temporary cavity allowed for multiplanar reconstruction. We conclude that the combination of colour contrast in gelatine with contrast material-enhanced CT facilitates accurate measurements in ballistic head models.

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Gunshot energy transfer profile in ballistic gelatine, determined with computed tomography using the total crack length method

Cited by 40 publications

References 9 publications

Performance of Lead-Free versus Lead-Based Hunting Ammunition in Ballistic Soap

Performance of Lead-Free versus Lead-Based Hunting Ammunition in Ballistic Soap

Designing the ideal model for assessment of wound contamination after gunshot injuries: a comparative experimental study

Combined radio-colour contrast in the examination of ballistic head models

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