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Blast Injury Science and Engineering pp 183–188Cite as

Military Wound Ballistics Case Study: Development of a Skull/Brain Model

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Abstract

Penetration of the cranium typically results in secondary projectile formation (bone and primary projectile fragments); the formation of a temporary cavity and resulting increase in internal pressure which is enhanced by the confined space of the cranium and the stiff bones of the skull [1]. This enhanced internal pressure can result in fractures of the base of the cranium, because it is not as strong as other parts of the skull [1]. Radial fractures are typical at the impact point, but concentric fractures can also occur connecting the radial cracks due to flexing of the skull. This through-thickness failure is commonly referred to as cratering [2–4]. Bullet wipe is reported on the scalp in forensic case studies e.g. [2–4]. The fact that bullet wipe can be identified to specific bullets is of interest forensically when investigating attempted murder or murder incidents in civilian and military scenarios [5].

This section draws heavily on a published paper and is reproduced with permission by Springer: Carr DJ, Lindstrom A, Jareborg A, Champion S, Waddell JN, Miller D, Teagle M, Horsfall I, Kieser J. Development of a skull/brain model for military wound ballistics studies. Int J Leg Med. 2014. doi:10.1007/s00414-014-1073-2 (License number: 3563580567511, 7 Feb 2015).

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Watkins’ terminology.

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Acknowledgments

This work was internally funded by The Impact and Armour Group at Cranfield University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Impact and Armour Group, Centre for Defence Engineering, Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham, SN6 8LA, UK

    Debra J. Carr CEng, FIMMM, MCSFS

  2. Vehicles and Weapons Group, Centre for Defence Engineering, Cranfield University at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham, SN6 8LA, UK

    Stephen Champion

Authors
  1. Debra J. Carr CEng, FIMMM, MCSFS
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  2. Stephen Champion
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Debra J. Carr CEng, FIMMM, MCSFS .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

    Anthony M. J. Bull

  2. Frimley Park Foundation Trust, Frimley, Surrey, United Kingdom

    Jon Clasper

  3. The ICT Centre, Birmingham Research Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom

    Peter F. Mahoney

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Carr, D.J., Champion, S. (2016). Military Wound Ballistics Case Study: Development of a Skull/Brain Model. In: Bull, A., Clasper, J., Mahoney, P. (eds) Blast Injury Science and Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21867-0_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21867-0_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-21866-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-21867-0

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