A study into the viability of Synbone® as a proxy for Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs for use with 7.62 × 51mm Full Metal Jacket ammunition in ballistic testing.

Abstract

Forensic reconstructions and ballistic testing requires the use of consistent and repeatable simulants. Synthetic bone has been developed to be mechanically similar to human bone; however, it does not have the same viscoelastic properties. Bone acts as brittle and stiff material and fails instantly under high-energy events such as ballistic impacts. Consequently, bone simulants for use in ballistic testing should show comparable energy deposition to mammalian bones. This study aims to determine if Synbone® flat plates could be a viable proxy for Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs in ballistic testing with 7.62 × 51mm Full Metal Jacket ammunition. 5mm, 6mm and 12mm quartered Synbone® plates were embedded into 10% ballistic gelatin and shot using 7.62mm ammunition. The models were then analysed to compare the Synbone® to a previous Sus Scrofa (domesticus) rib study and focused on energy deposition, the number of fragments within the block, angle of deviation, onset of yaw, the temporary cavity, and the permanent wound channel. No significant difference was seen between the Sus Scrofa (domesticus) and the 5mm Sybone®. There were significant differences observed between Sus Scrofa (domesticus) ribs and 6mm Synbone® for the number of fragments, energy deposition and projectile tract diameter, and significant differences seen between Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs and 12mm Synbone® for the depth of onset of yaw, energy deposition and projectile tract diameter. This study indicates that the 5mm Synbone® plate is a suitable proxy for Sus scrofa (domesticus) ribs for use with 7.62 × 51mm FMJ ammunition in ballistic testing.