Assessment of Thoracic Injury From Kinetic Impact Projectiles Using Numerical Simulations

Abstract Law enforcement agencies have been using nonlethal kinetic impact projectiles (KIPs) for a long time as a means of riot control or to incapacitate an individual. Though KIPs are designed to avoid causing serious injuries, there have been reports of major injuries, including fatalities. The thoracic region, which contains most of the vital organs, is most likely to be hit by KIPs since it has a large surface area. To assess the injury potential associated with blunt ballistic impacts to the thoracic region, several finite element (FE) human body models have been used; however, most are not freely accessible. This study investigates the feasibility of using the freely available Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation to evaluate thoracic injuries resulting from KIP impacts. Numerical simulations were performed replicating an experimental study available in the literature that assessed thoracic injury due to high caliber KIPs. The simulation results obtained were reasonably aligned with the experimental corridors, which suggest that the THUMS model can potentially be used to study blunt ballistic impact scenarios involving KIPs.