ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 14 September 2005
Page Count: 4

Skin Penetration Assessment of Less Lethal Kinetic Energy Munitions
Bir, CA
Wayne State University, MI

Wilhelm, M
Wayne State University, MI

Stewart, SJ
Wayne State University, MI

(Received 29 December 2004; accepted 4 June 2005)

Abstract

The development of less-lethal technologies has provided law enforcement personnel with an alternative to lethal force. Although the less lethal projectile was produced to engender non-penetrating wounds, case studies show that there have been a number of reported penetrating injuries ranging from minor to significant in morbidity. The objective of this study was to determine the energy per unit area required to penetrate various regions of the body. Eight unembalmed postmortem human specimens were procured for this testing. Each specimen sustained a maximum of 25 impacts consisting of shots to the anterior and posterior thorax, abdomen, and legs. A 12-gauge, fin-stabilized, rubber rocket round was used as the impactor for all of the conducted tests. The energy density required for 50% risk of penetration varied from 23.99 J/cm² for the location on the anterior rib (p = 0.000) to 52.74 J/cm² for the location on the posterior rib (p = 0.001).

Keywords:
forensic science, ballistics, less-lethal, skin penetration

Paper ID: JFS2004551
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004551
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