Quantitative wound ballistic analysis of gelatin head phantoms by computed tomography using the total crack length method

Gelatin-based phantoms are appropriate simulants of human soft tissue and can be used for ballistic experiments. Computed tomography (CT) is useful for quantitative wound ballistics analysis and has been applied to gelatin blocks. This study aimed to create total crack length (TCL) profiles along the penetration depth in head phantoms after ballistic experiments with different types of ammunition at varying distances using CT data. Sixteen commercially available gelatin-based head phantoms were subjected to ballistic testing with six different types of ammunition. Nine were contact shots, while seven were fired from a 15-meter distance. Following the experiments, CT scans of the phantoms were performed. The TCL, a secondary effect of the temporary cavity, was measured based on the CT data. All phantoms exhibited perforation shots. The CT data enabled measurements along the penetration depth for each phantom. Metal artifacts caused by small projectile fragments along the path did not interfere with the measurements. The resulting TCL curves for the different ammunition types demonstrated distinct differences. TCL measurements in gelatin-based head phantoms are feasible and provide values proportional to the transferred energy at a given penetration depth for different ammunition types and shooting distances.