AFTE Store - Analysis of Experimental Wound Paths in Tissue Simulants Using CT Scanning, Part II: Shots into Ballistic Gelatin

For the purposes of wound ballistic studies and this research, ballistic gelatin was used to model and approximate the behavior of bullets striking and penetrating the soft tissues of the human body. The retention of the permanent cavity and bullet path in ballistic gelatin were verified early on in this study through a number of preliminary experimental shootings by using four semi-automatic pistols, in caliber 9mm Parabellum and two different bullet types (FMJ and HP) as ammunition. Analysis of experimental shootings in ballistic gelatin through CT scanning provides an opportunity to observe and calculate the characteristics of wound channels as they relate to specific projectiles and impact velocities, and also to compare the effectiveness of these different bullet types. Through CT technology the density of these scanned blocks could be recorded. Furthermore, using CT technology and studying the scanned gelatin blocks allowed the evaluation of the data derived from the bullet’s path through each block. By evaluating the results of this study, a comparison is presented of the CT results with ballistic soap using similar type of ammunition. This may provide an answer to an important question and issue because the soft tissues of gunshot victims behave like gelatin, but not as ballistic soap.