The effect of range and ammunition type on fracture patterns in porcine postcranial flat bones

Fragkouli, Kleio; Hakeem, Eyad Al; Bulut, Özgür; Simmons, Tal

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2017.10.004

Cited by 10 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Experimental ballistics and incident simulations have been broadly used as means to understand the effect of high energy impact on human proxies. Trauma simulations including ballistic testing have used both animal [ 2 , 3 ] and synthetic surrogates [ 4 ], spheres [ 5 , 6 ] and anatomically correct head proxies with variable results [ 7 ]. Whilst synthetic proxies for long bones appear problematic [ 4 , 8 , 9 ] it has been suggested that polyurethane spheres present efficient proxies for crania [ 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ballistic trauma caused by military rifles: experimental study based on synthetic skull proxies

Taylor

Ondruschka

Kieser

et al. 2022

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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Rifles are often involved in violent deaths such as homicide and suicide. Consequently, expert knowledge and experimental forensic investigations are important to clarify the nature of ballistic trauma when applied to the human head and neurocranium. This study investigated differences in entrance wound morphology with Synbone® spheres which are described as being comparable to human flat bones. A series of ballistic experiments were conducted using two different rifle calibers (5.56 × 45 mm and 7.62 × 39 mm Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)). Synbone® spheres were used for close-range 0.3 m simulated executions as well as at 25 m and 35 m to simulate urban and military engagements. Results were compared with previously published experimental studies using similar military ammunition. In our study, entry wound morphology closely resembles real forensic cases compared to exit wound and overall shape morphology independently of the distance and the caliber. Circumferential delamination was clearly visible with full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds, yielding similar damage pattern morphology to the human crania. This study documented the presence of hydraulic burst or shock in all ten rounds from all three distances. Krönlein shots were also observed in some cases. Synbone® spheres constitute an acceptable synthetic surrogate for ballistic experiments. The present study offers new initial data on the behavior of Synbone® proxies in ballistic testing of military ammunitions; FMJ gunshot injuries to the human head, for distances that have not previously been published, suggesting that efficient tests can take place under these conditions. Further research on experimental ballistics with a larger number of controlled factors and multiple repetitions is recommended to verify the results of this pilot study before applied in forensic simulations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ballistic trauma caused by military rifles: experimental study based on synthetic skull proxies

Taylor

Ondruschka

Kieser

et al. 2022

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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“…Testing of isolated bone requires the removal of soft tissue without altering the properties of the bone. Bacterial maceration is commonly discussed in the literature, sometimes due to the addition of a detergent or enzyme; in addition to this, chemical cleaning is also used, but there are concerns regarding alteration of bone properties [18][19][20][21]. There are many organisms including species of insect of the genus Dermestes (Dermestidae: Coleoptera) that consume flesh.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ballistic performance of bone when impacted by fragments

et al. 2020

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Physical models are required to generate the underlying algorithms that populate computer simulations of the effects of explosive fragmenting devices. These models and simulations are used for understanding weapon performance, designing buildings and optimising personal protective equipment. Previous experimental work has investigated the performance of skin and muscle when subjected to fragmentation threats, but limited evidence exists for the performance of bone when impacted by fragments. In the current work, ballistic testing was conducted using two types of internationally recognised steel fragment simulating projectiles (FSPs): (i) 5.5 mm diameter (0.68 g) ball bearing (BBs) and (ii) 1.10 g chisel nosed (CN). These projectiles were fired at isolated swine ribs at impact velocities between 99 and 1265 m/s. Impact events were recorded using a high-speed camera. Selected specimens were analysed post-impact with plain x-radiographs and micro-CT scanning to determine damage to the bone architecture. Bones were perforated with a kinetic energy density (KED) as low as 0.14 J/mm 2. Energy transfer to the bone was greater for the CN FSPs, resulting in increased bone damage and the production of secondary bone fragments. The manner in which the bones failed with faster velocity impacts (> 551 m/s; KED > 6.44 J/mm 2) was analogous to the behaviour of a brittle material. Slower velocity impacts (< 323 m/s; KED < 1.49 J/mm 2) showed a transition in failure mode with the bone displaying the properties of an elastic, plastic and brittle material at various points during the impact. The study gives critical insight into how bone behaves under these circumstances.

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“…Our intention was to expand on the works of Rickman and Smith which looked at SP and FMJ rounds under magnification as a diagnostic tool with bovine scapulae which found SEM analysis can used when entry/exit wounds cannot be determined from macroscopic assessment as well as producing more samples for the validity of using SEM analysis in the courtroom 8. Also, Fragkouli et al who looked at fracture patterns of SP and FMJ rounds with postcranial porcine flat bones who found significant differences between FMJ and SP rounds in the entry and exit wounds and that with the FMJ rounds directionality may be concluded due to entrance wound morphology 9. Additionally, our aim was to assist future medical investigations and gunshot-related forensic cases as researchers attempt to conclude the type of bullets used in deadly shooting events from intermediate range with SP and FMJ ammunition shot out of a common battlefield rifle travelling with similar velocities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microscopic and macroscopic comparisons of 0.223 soft point and full metal jacket ammunition with bos taurus scapulae as a proxy to human flat bones

et al. 2020

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BackgroundThe prevalence of civilian 0.223 ammunition is widespread. Due to low costs and the same dimensions as a 5.56×45 mm North Atlantic Treaty Organization, this round is exceptionally popular. However, recent mass shootings have employed soft point (SP) expanding ammunition to cause grievous wounds compared with military full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds that do not rapidly expand on impact.MethodsThe aim of this given study is to compare FMJ and SP rounds to determine if there are diagnostic differences between the bullet types in the wounds inflicted to flat bones. Bos taurus scapulae were used for 25 m simulated cranial gunshot injuries. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to assess the difference in wound morphology and elemental analysis between SP and FMJ rounds.ResultsEntrance and exit wound morphology change significantly between the two different types of ammunition as seen with circumferential delamination which is indicative of FMJ rounds and is not seen with the softer SP hunting rounds. Lead staining of the entrance wound is visible on only the SP rounds.ConclusionGunshot flat bone wound morphology is distinctively different between SP and FMJ rounds. Circumferential delamination is only seen with FMJ due to the hardness of the round. Lead staining is only seen with SP rounds due to bullet composition.

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The effect of range and ammunition type on fracture patterns in porcine postcranial flat bones

Cited by 10 publications

References 35 publications

Ballistic trauma caused by military rifles: experimental study based on synthetic skull proxies

Ballistic trauma caused by military rifles: experimental study based on synthetic skull proxies

The ballistic performance of bone when impacted by fragments

Microscopic and macroscopic comparisons of 0.223 soft point and full metal jacket ammunition with bos taurus scapulae as a proxy to human flat bones

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