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A study into the viability of Synbone® as a proxy for Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs for use with 5.56-mm open tip match ammunition in ballistic testing

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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.

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Data availability

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Dylan Allison (NZDF) for assistance with model preparation and trials support. We are also grateful to Angus Newton for use and assistance of ESR’s ballistic range and, finally, Glynny Kieser for her editorial input.

Funding

The project was funded by the New Zealand Defence Force.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine, P O Box 4545, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand

    Amy Pullen, David C. Kieser & Gary Hooper

Authors
  1. Amy Pullen
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  2. David C. Kieser
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  3. Gary Hooper
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Contributions

Amy Pullen developed concept and methodology, carried out the trials and analysis. David Kieser and Gary Hooper supervised the work, verified the analytical methods, reviewed the results. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Amy Pullen and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amy Pullen.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was not needed, and no human or animal subjects were involved. Ballistic gelatin is commercially available.

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Not applicable.

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Pullen, A., Kieser, D.C. & Hooper, G. A study into the viability of Synbone® as a proxy for Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs for use with 5.56-mm open tip match ammunition in ballistic testing. Int J Legal Med 135, 521–526 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-020-02416-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-020-02416-8

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