Ballistic Gel Dummy With Organs? All Answers

question

What good is ballistic gel for a spy?

Community Response

Ballistic Gel can be used by spies as building blocks for sniper skins or to craft a vest, showing them how much worse a gunshot wound could have been after being shot. However, you would have to keep in mind that if it gets too hot, it will liquify. In a sniper hideout, this really makes for a difficult cleanup while they cover their tracks. So you should make sure they bring plenty of ice and a fan to cool it back down for easier cleaning. If used as a vest, the melt could make them appear nervous and blow their cover.

Whether you use it in a medical facility or at a shooting range, proper ballistic gel storage is critical to its performance. Let’s go through a list of ballistic gel storage FAQs to help you achieve maximum success.

How long does ballistic gelatin powder last?

When stored in a cool, dry place, gelatine powder has an unlimited shelf life. Be sure to store your powder in an airtight container to prevent contaminants and moisture from spoiling it.

How long does a ballistic gel block last?

A ballistic gel block will last 7-10 days in the fridge. Outside the refrigerator, a block can last a few hours if placed in a cool laboratory environment; If it is outdoors, e.g. B. at a shooting range, it must be used immediately. In any case, it is best to use a ballistic gel block within 30 minutes of removing it from the refrigerator.

Additional tips

Like so many other things, “ballistic gel” can have a number of different meanings.

In most cases, it is a block of solid gelatin used to study the ultimate performance of munitions, including penetration, expansion, expansion voids, and permanent voids created by bullets striking a medium that is not quite solid.

In other words what you would use to test 10mm vs 9mm.

There are also specialty gel products made exclusively for ballistic gels, such as clear ballistic gelatin. They are not the ONLY type of gel useful for this purpose, which we will discuss later.

Make sense?

Okay, now the question is what is ballistic gel made of.

Ballistic gelatin falls into two broad categories: synthetic and natural.

Synthetic ballistic gelatin is made using man-made (i.e. not natural) chemicals, which usually gives you the clear stuff.

Then you have natural ballistic gel that – DUH! – consists of natural ingredients on a plant or animal basis.

You may be wondering what the difference is between ballistic gel and regular food grade gelatin, like what you could use to make fruit tarts, head cheese or something similar. And the answer is…

There is none. You can literally run ballistics tests on the same gelatin in the bake aisle of most grocery stores. Composition doesn’t really matter, which we’ll cover in a moment.

Do you have a retail store? No, in order to keep the cost of products down we have chosen not to have a shop at this time.

Do you make custom blocks of your ballistic gelatin? Yes, we can make your order into any size or shape you require. Please contact one of our sales representatives for pricing via the contact page using the special requests option.

What forms of payment do you accept? We accept business checks, all major credit cards, and wire transfers.

Do you sell on Amazon? Yes, you can see the products we have listed by clicking this link. https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Ballistics/b/ref=bl_dp_s_web_14334306011?ie=UTF8&node=14334306011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Clear+Ballistics

Can I just buy a mold? Yes we sell numerous molds at https://www.clearballistics.com/product-category/molds-and-accesories/mold/

What are your opening times? We are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. We respond to email and social media inquiries after hours and on weekends.

What is your shop’s web address? It’s pretty simple https://www.clearballistics.com/store/

Can I buy a thousand items? Yes, you can buy any quantity you want, and yes, we offer volume discounts.

Do you do PO’s? Yes we do for business and government purchases. Credit can be paid over 30 days.

Do you have a return policy? Yes, please visit our SHIPPING & RETURNS page https://www.clearballistics.com/shipping-returns/

Where do you ship to? We ship worldwide. All USA shipments are sent via FedEX (You can choose the service speed). For all international shipments and PPOs FedEX, United States Post Office or Sea. For all international orders, call us for a shipping quote.

Do you have gift vouchers? No, we currently do not offer gift vouchers.

What size are your ballistic gelatin blocks? We sell blocks of any size. However, we stock four popular sizes: FBI 16L6Wx6H; air rifle 9Lx4Wx4H; bow block 12Lx14Wx6H; and Sniper Block, these are two of our FBI blocks end to end to make a 32Lx6Wx6H.

I need more information about your company, how can I get it? We would be happy to provide you with further information on Clear Ballistics. You can make an inquiry through our contact page or call us toll-free at (888) 271-0461.

What sizes of standard molds do you sell? See our online shop for details. All molds are ready to ship the following business day.

Are there any restrictions on importing into my country? To our knowledge not.

What is the best way to contact Clear Ballistics? The online inquiry form is the best way to contact us as we respond as quickly as possible, including after hours and weekends. Our phones are manned from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Can your ballistic gelatin be used for purposes other than ballistic testing? Yes, it can be used in any test where human tissue penetration would need to be tested.

How long does it take for my order to be fulfilled? How long does it take for my order to be fulfilled?

Can I become a reseller or distributor? Yes, we are always looking for our next partner. Simply contact us via our contact page and one of our representatives will get in touch with you.

Can your ballistic gelatin be colored? Yes, it can be colored. We offer numerous colors in our shop.

Do you ship outside of the United States? Absolutely! We are well versed in worldwide shipping.

What kind of discounts do you offer? We offer discounts for law enforcement personnel, ammunition companies (industry), and volume discounts. To get this discount you need to speak to the sales staff or request a call back through our contact page.

Can I get a custom size mold? Yes, just give us a call at (888) 271-0461 or send a request through the contact page using the special request option.

Can I get a tracking number for my order? Yes. Our current primary shipping company is FedEx. When shipping internationally, we use FedEx when possible or USPS otherwise. We prefer traceable packages. For large orders going abroad, we use transport companies.

Where are you? Our sales office and manufacturing facility is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

What are the melting temperatures for your ballistic gelatin? Our product begins to melt at the surface at 105 F / 45.5 C. Normal melting temperatures range from 200 F to 270 F / 93.33 C to 132.22 C. The flash point of our ballistic gelatin is 325 F / 162.77 C.

Do you have a Facebook or Twitter account? Yes we do www.facebook.com/clearballistics, @clearballistics

Can I put bones or tiles in the ballistic gelatin? Yes, but the content you fill in must not contain water.

Does your product replace ballistic gelatin used for ballistic data testing? Yes, it is a 100% replacement for the traditional 240A ballistic gelatin. Our product meets FBI and NATO protocol for testing terminal ballistics of human tissue.

Can you document your quality control measures? We can issue a certification letter if your company needs to use our ballistic gelatin products when the FDA requires these types of quality controls.

Can you mold your ballistic gelatin into the shape my business needs? We can mold our ballistic gelatin into any shape and quantity you require.

How many times can I re-melt the ballistic gelatin? Our ballistic gelatin can be remelted eight to ten times on average, depending on how well you take care of it. After the 10th time, the oil in the gel will start to turn brown, which is purely an aesthetic change. The gel stays within calibration even if it is no longer clear.

Does your ballistic gelatin need to be refrigerated? No, all of our Ballistic Gelatin can be stored anywhere as long as the temperature stays below 110F / 37.77C. It must be protected from direct sunlight during long-term storage.

Can I make an artificial head out of ballistic gelatin? Yes, any shape can be made from ballistic gelatin.

What’s less than perfect gelatin? Less than perfect ballistic gelatin is gelatin that has absorbed some type of foreign material during the manufacturing process or is discolored (not 100% clear like glass). It still has the same preforms as all of our other products. Instead of wasting it, we’re selling the less than perfect version at a discounted price.

Why is there a NATO version of a ballistic gelatin? The NATO version of ballistic gelatin exists because all NATO countries use full metal jacketed (FMJ) bullets. This is to reduce the exit wound so that the opposing Lot is injured but not killed. Ballistic gelatin has to be much stiffer to stop an FMJ bullet.

What NATO protocol do you follow for calibrating ballistic gelatin? The NATO protocol we follow states that a BB with a standard .177 caliber (4.5mm) steel must meet the following criteria, namely shooting a BB at 590 feet per second plus or minus +/- 15 feet, 10 feet away a gelatin block, and the resting position of the BB is 4.2 cm 4.6 cm (4.4 ± 0.2 cm).

What FBI protocol do you follow for ballistic gelatin calibration? The FBI protocol we follow fires a standard .177 caliber (4.5mm) steel BB from an airgun via a chronograph at 590 feet per second (fps) plus or minus +/- 15 fps into the ballistic gelatin. The penetration of the steel BB must be 8.5 centimeters (cm) plus or minus 1 cm of penetration (2.95 inches to 3.74 inches).

What is the difference between 10% ballistic gelatin and 20% ballistic gelatin? Clear Ballistic Gelatin 10% replaces the 10% solution 240A Ordnance Gelatin Solution calibrated to meet the US FBI protocol for calibrated Ordnance Gelatin. Clear Ballistic Gelatin 20% replaces 20% Solution 240A Gelatin Ordnance Ordnance Solution calibrated to meet NATO calibrated gelatin Ordnance Ordnance Protocol.

Can you document your quality control measures? We can issue a certification letter if your company needs to use our ballistic gelatin products when the FDA requires these types of quality controls.

What kind of quality control measures have you put in place? We carry out batch control for all our products. We also use lot numbers for strict quality control measures and perform ballistic testing to ensure each lot conforms to FBI human tissue ballistic testing protocol. Each order comes with a calibration card showing you how it was calibrated.

Can I melt my block of ballistic gelatin? Yes. Each block of our ballistic gelatin includes full instructions on how to melt the product. Instructions are on your order receipt, which you will receive by email. You can also find the instructions online at Clearballistics.com/instructions.

Does the ballistic gelatin stay clear? Our ballistic gelatin stays clear through the sixth remelt. After that, it begins to take on a yellow tint, gradually darkening with each renewed melting.

Does your product replace ballistic gelatin used for ballistic data testing? Yes, it is a 100% replacement for the traditional 240A ballistic gelatin. Our product meets FBI protocol for testing terminal ballistics of human tissue.

Does your ballistic gelatin contain Artillery 240A gelatin? No, all of our ballistic gelatin is gelatin-free.

Does your ballistic gelatin need to be refrigerated? No, all of our Ballistic Gelatin can be stored anywhere as long as the temperature stays below 110F / 37.77C. It must be protected from direct sunlight during long-term storage.

Will your ballistic gelatin go moldy? No, it does not form mold, mildew or rot.

Does your ballistic gelatin have an odor? No, it is odorless and contains no organic materials.

Is your ballistic gelatin reusable? Yes, our entire range of ballistic gelatin is reusable.

Is your ballistic gelatin 100% clear? Yes, our entire range of ballistic gelatin products are 100% crystal clear.

BALLISTIC GEL 10% v 20%

The two most common ballistic gel formulas are 10% and 20%, but what’s the difference?

This number refers to the density of the ballistic gel. The density of a ballistic gel is determined by how strong the gel is. The higher the density of the gel, the firmer the gel will be. 10% and 20% are the standard densities and refer to the percentage used to make a gel block. You may have heard of the FBI protocol for ballistic gel. The FBI’s ammunition testing protocol, first introduced after the 1986 Miami shooting, called for the use of 10% ballistic gelatin. So if you’re using 10% ballistic gel, you’re essentially using the same gel that the FBI uses for all of their testing.

However, 20% ballistic gel is much harder as this gel is made to NATO standards. NATO ballistic gelatin needs to be harder and denser as it is only tested with full metal jacketed bullets (FMJ). With a higher ratio of gelatin to water, 20% is much denser and firmer.

Because both densities of ballistic gel mimic the basic properties of muscle tissue, both are commonly used to test different ammunition. Bullets intended for hunting are also extensively tested. So which ones should you use?

The 10% FBI Standard is the go-to resource for the FBI and other law enforcement agencies when testing terminal ballistics. This density is perfect for hobbyists, hunters, or various types of shooters. For most practical applications, the 10% ballistic gel should be sufficient. If you want to test more powerful weapons, especially with full metal jacket bullets, you can opt for 20% ballistic gel. The end result ultimately comes down to personal preference as to which one you decide to use, but remember that the higher the percentage, the firmer the ballistic gel!

If you’ve ever thought about buying ballistic gel to properly test some of your ammo, don’t hesitate. Shooting into a large block of ballistic gel will not only provide you with valuable information, but it is also extremely fun! Both have their own advantages and disadvantages in the battle between 10% and 20% ballistic gel, but both are good choices!

MATERIAL SAFETY DATASHEET

Clear ballistic gel

SECTION 1: PRODUCTION IDENTIFICATION

Product identifiers: 608729261421, 608729261452, 608729261483, 608729261513 (UPC CODES)

Product use: Human tissue simulation medium

Synonyms: Clear Ballistics Gel, Clear Ballistics Gelatine, Clear Ballistics Gel Air Rifle Block, Clear Ballistics Gel Bow Block, Clear Ballistics Gel FBI Block, Clear Ballistics Gel by Pound, Clear Ballistics Gel Samples, Clear Ballistics Gel Sniper Block

Company manufacturer / supplier address

Clear Ballistics LLC.

717s Zero Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901

United States of America

Clearballistics.com

Emergency number: American Association of Poison Control Centers 1-800-222-1222

Chemtrec Phone: (800) 424-9300

Other calls: General questions (888) 271-0461

SECTION 2: COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

SECTION 3: HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW:

WAYS OF ENTRY:

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS:

EYES: This product is minimally irritating to eyes by direct contact.

SKIN: This product is not expected to cause skin irritation through direct contact or repeated and/or prolonged contact: Products of similar chemical composition applied to the skin of laboratory animals resulted in minimal to mild dermal skin irritation.

INGESTION: Product is non-toxic if swallowed provided no aspiration occurs. This product has laxative properties and may cause cramps and/or diarrhea. See Health Hazards section below.

INHALATION: This product has a low vapor pressure and is not expected to present an inhalation hazard at ambient conditions. Care should and must be taken to avoid aerosolization or nebulization of this product. The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and Threshold Value (TLV) for this product as an oil mist is 5 MG/M3. Exposures below 5 MG/M3 appear to be without significant health risk. The short term exposure limit for this product as an oil mist is 10 MG/M3. See Health Data Hazards section below.

HEALTH HAZARDS: Exposure to a single large dose or repeated small doses of mineral oil by inhalation, aspiration, or ingestion resulting in aspiration may result in lipid pneumonia or lipid granuloma of the lungs. These are low-grade chronic, localized tissue relationships. Shortness of breath and cough are the most common symptoms. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded, based on insufficient human and animal evidence, that highly refined mineral oils are Group 3 substances “not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans”. IARC has also concluded that there is no evidence of oils being carcinogenic in laboratory animals

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when administered by route other than intraperitoneal injection. The oil substance is not carcinogenic according to the OSHA hazard communication standard.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS AGGRAVATED BY OVEREXPOSURE: Asthma, emphysema or other respiratory disorders.

CARCINOGENICITY: This product is not listed as a carcinogen or potential carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA.

SECTION 4: Emergency and First Aid Procedures

Skin Contact: In case of contact with molten product, treat as for ordinary burns. The product does not irritate the skin.

Inhalation: Not normally required. The product is not expected to cause irritation of the nose, throat or respiratory tract.

Ingestion: Not normally required. The product is generally considered to have a low level of acute oral toxicity.

SECTION 5: FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

Specific Hazards: Toxic gases (carbon monoxide) can form if burned without adequate oxygen.

Extinguishing Media: Use water fog, foam, dry chemical or CO2.

Special Fire Fighting Procedures and Precautions:

The material only burns if it is preheated. Do not enter enclosed fireboxes without full bunker gear (helmet with face shield, bunker coats, gloves and rubber boots), including a NIOSH-approved positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus. Cool fire-exposed containers with water.

Flash points and method: None

Flammability Limits/Volume Percent in Air

Lower: None

Higher: None

SECTION 6: ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Methods for cleaning up: Normal methods for cleaning up. Use good housekeeping practices. Shovel and sweep up or use industrial vacuum cleaner. Avoid dust cloud formation. Place in container for recovery or disposal.

Personal Precautions: Wear appropriate respiratory protection and protective clothing as described in Section 8.

SECTION 7: HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling: When handling product, ground all transfer, mixing, and dust collection equipment to prevent static spark generation. Remove all sources of ignition from material handling, transportation, and processing areas where dust may be present. Mechanical and local exhaust ventilation should be available in work areas. Do not use near open flames or areas where smoking is permitted. Practice good housekeeping. Do not allow product to accumulate in processing area. Product spilled onto walking surfaces poses a slipping hazard. Equipment should provide a means of dissipating any charges that may be generated. Avoid fumes from heated products. Adequate ventilation and/or engineering controls must be employed during high temperature processing to prevent exposure to potentially toxic/irritating fumes.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place.

SECTION 8: EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION

control parameters

Comp. OSHA ACGIH

No. PEL/TWA PEL/CEILING TVL/TWA TLV/STEL Other

P None set up

Respiratory Protection: Use a NIOSH-approved respirator as needed to avoid overexposure. Per 29 CFR 1910.134, use either an atmospheric respirator or an air-purifying particulate respirator.

Protective Clothing: Safety goggles and protective clothing should be worn when the product is heated during processing.

Additional Protections: Adequate ventilation and/or engineering controls are required when the product is heated during processing.

SECTION 9: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Boiling Point (Degree F) : None

Melting point (degrees F): 198f

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Specific gravity (H2O=1): 0.91

Solubility in water : Insoluble

Vapor pressure (mm Hg) : None

Vapor Density (Air=1) : None

Evaporation rate (butyl acetate = 1) : None

Appearance and Odor: Solid, essentially odorless.

SECTION 10: STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

Regalado Stability: Stable. A dangerous polymerization does not take place.

Conditions and materials to avoid : Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents.

Hazardous Decomposition Products : Some thermal degradation will occur at processing temperatures. Although highly dependent on temperature and environmental conditions, a variety of decomposition products can be present, ranging from simple hydrocarbons (like methane and propane) to toxic/irritating gases (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, etc.).

SECTION 11: TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION: None

SECTION 11 NOTES:

SECTION 12: ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION: None

SECTION 12 NOTES:

SECTION 13: DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

DISPOSAL METHOD: None

RCRA HAZARD CLASS:

SECTION 13 NOTES:

SECTION 14: TRANSPORT INFORMATION

US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

CORRECT SHIPPING NAME:

HAZARD CLASS:

ID NUMBER:

PACKING GROUP:

LABEL STATEMENT:

WATER TRANSPORT

CORRECT SHIPPING NAME:

HAZARD CLASS:

ID NUMBER:

PACKING GROUP:

STATEMENTS ON THE LABEL:

AIR TRANSPORT

CORRECT SHIPPING NAME:

HAZARD CLASS:

ID NUMBER:

PACKING GROUP:

STATEMENTS ON THE LABEL:

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OTHER AGENCIES:

SECTION 14 NOTES:

SECTION 15: REGULATIONS

US FEDERAL REGULATIONS

TSCA (TOXIC SUBSTANCE CONTROL ACT):

CERCLA (COMPLETE INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY ACT):

SARA TITLE III (SUPERFUND AMENDMENTS AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT):

311/312 HAZARD CATEGORIES:

313 REPORTABLE INGREDIENTS:

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS:

INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS:

SECTION 15 NOTES:

SECTION 16: OTHER INFORMATION

All data presented here is based on actual measurements conducted by Clear Ballistics, LLC. All information contained herein is provided to the best of our knowledge and without guarantee. Clear Ballistics, LLC. ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING FROM THE USE OR MISUSE OF THIS INFORMATION.

10/28/2016

author message

Zach Gordon

Joined: 10/07/2008

Main topics: 1

Posts: 252

Location: Vermont. USAJoined: Oct 7, 2008 Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:55 Post subject: Ballistics Dummy?

On the Fight Science show, they have these dummy ballistics, they have skeletons with artificial organs that are coated in ballistics gel. You then allow fighters to hit you to determine the effect. Does anyone know how well these map the human body? And could you get them for sword cutting/testing?

Thanks

Z’K, that’s sort of from a Discovery Channel TV show, but before you roll your eyes, hear the question. On the show Fight Science they have these ballistics dummies, they have skeletons with artificial organs covered in ballistics gel. You then allow fighters to hit you to determine the effect. Does anyone know how well these map the human body? And could you get them for sword cutting/testing Thnx

A Spanjer

Joined: April 26, 2009

Posts: 242

Location: USAJoined: Apr 26, 2009 Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:18 PM Post subject: Re: Ballistics Dummy? Zach Gordon wrote: “K, this is kind of a Discovery Channel TV show, but before you roll your eyes, hear the question.

On the Fight Science show, they have these dummy ballistics, they have skeletons with artificial organs that are coated in ballistics gel. You then allow fighters to hit you to determine the effect. Does anyone know how well these map the human body? And could you get them for sword cutting/testing?

Thanks

Z

From what I can tell they should be great for test cutting.

The problems, of course, are the damage to the sword from contact with the bone and the cost. I imagine something like that to be quite expensive. Na sir’s na seachain an cath.

Janos Sibinger

Joined: May 31, 2009

Contributions: 50

Location: Hungary/FranceJoined: May 31, 2009 Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:44 Post subject:

About the cost of the dummies.. I’ve heard gelatine can be used for such purposes and I think the butcher might be able to help you… I mean some bones

The Fletcher (?) who made my bow warned me to be careful with it. He suggested shooting at a piece of meat to see the power of the bow. That could also be a method, but playing with the food… That was never the norm in my house.

Bottom up!

John greetings! The other problem with these poor dummies is their resistance. If you hit a human – who would do such nasty things – he would try to parry, try to resist, but if your momentum was big enough he would hit back. I’ve given it a lot of thought as I want to test the leftover parts of my shield and I don’t think hitting it on a large tree stump (because of the lack of recoil) would be realistic. About the cost of the dummy.. I’ve heard gelatine can be used for such purposes and I think the butcher might be able to help you… I mean some bones. The Fletcher (?) who made my bow warned me to be careful with it. He suggested shooting at a piece of meat to see the power of the bow. That could also be a method, but playing with the food… That was never the norm in my house. Bottom up! John

Timo Niemen

Joined: May 08, 2009

Likes: 1 page

Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 1,504

Location: Brisbane, Australia Joined: May 08, 2009 Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:17 PM Post subject: I don’t think they would be accurate simulators for testing sword action. They’re designed to test the effects of bullets, and they’re pretty good for that. The effects of bullets on living things (from battlefield medicine and experimental work on animals) and dead things (experiments on human bodies and animals) are well known, and ballistic dummies have been designed to surrogate “reproduce” these effects. animal and dead human targets (more uniform and consistent, more standardizable, less paperwork and protest).

But swords do damage by slicing through flesh, while bullets rip their way through at a very different speed.

I would have more faith in simulators designed for swords, by people cutting bodies with swords. Or simulators designed to be comparable to such simulators.

Dan Howard

Joined: 12/08/2004

Main topics: 2

Posts: 3,608

Location: Maitland, NSW, Australia Joined: Dec 08, 2004 Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 2:01 PM Post subject: They might be useful for testing the action of darts.

Hadrian’s coffin

industry professional

Joined: 04/03/2008

Posts: 400

Location: Oxford, EnglandJoined: Apr 03, 2008 Posted: Tuesday Mar 16, 2010 9:24pm Post subject:

Here is an article on the pros and cons of ballistic gel

Hope this was of some help to you!

Cheers,

Hadrian

p.s. In a recent forensic study of the effects of knives on human flesh, polyurethane, compliant foam, and ballistic soap were used to simulate the reaction of skin, fat, and cartilage, respectively.

p.p.s Here’s some info on human flesh simulation Hello, Here’s an article on the pros and cons of ballistic gel http://nldt2.arl.psu.edu/documents/ballistic_gelatin_report.pdf . I thought you might find it interesting. Again, there is a company that sells many different types of test dummies, but I haven’t seen a “ballistic gel” http://www.dummiesunlimited.com/ I hope this was of use to you! Cheers, Hadrianp.s . In a recent forensic study of the effects of knives on human flesh, polyurethane, compliant foam and ballistic soap were used to simulate the reaction of skin, fat and cartilage respectively ://www.mech.gla.ac.uk/Research /Colloquia/…stractID=2 and http://www.springerlink.com/content/65740761355nl157/ Historia magistra vitae est

Gabriele A. Pini

Joined: 09/02/2008

Posts: 239

Location: Olgiate Comasco, ComoJoined: Sep 02, 2008 Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:24 PM Post subject: Mythbuster recently (probably an old episode for America) used a dummy meat made by cutting pork was sewn over a plastic skeleton. A bit fiddly, but it worked!

Timo Niemen

Joined: May 08, 2009

Likes: 1 page

Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 1,504

Location: Brisbane, AustraliaJoined: May 08, 2009 Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:57am Post subject: Hadrian Coffin wrote:

p.p.s Here is some info on human flesh simulation http://www.mech.gla.ac.uk/Research/Colloquia/…stractID=2 and…

The “end product” of this is:

Ankersen, Jesper. Quantifying forces in stab wounds, PhD thesis, University of Glasgow, 1999.

Likewise:

Ankersen J, Birkbeck A, Thomson R, Vanezis P. Puncture and tensile strength of skin simulants. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers – Part H, 1999, 213(6), pp. 493-501.

Ankersen J., Birkbeck, A., Thomson, R., Vanezis, P. The effect of knife blade profile on penetration power in meat simulants. Technical Law and Insurance, 1998, 3, pp. 125-128.

Moving on to the general topic, a good general reference on cutting and penetrating is: Tony Atkins, The Science and Engineering of Cutting, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2009. The Google Books preview will give you a good idea of ​​the content. Don’t look here for specific answers to specific questions. The “end product” of this one is: Ankersen, Jesper. Quantifying the Forces in Stiching Incidents, Dissertation, University of Glasgow, 1999. http://www.mech.gla.ac.uk/Research/Theses/Thesis.html?ThesisID=21 which unfortunately does not seem to be the case www (except for the abstract). Also: Ankersen J., Birkbeck, A., Thomson, R., Vanezis, P. Puncture Resistance and Tension Strength of Skin Simulants. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers – Part H, 1999, 213(6), pp 493-501. Ankersen J, Birkbeck A, Thomson R, Vanezis P. The effect of knife blade profile on penetration force in meat simulants. Technology Law and Insurance, 1998, 3, pp. 125-128. A good general reference on cutting and penetration is further on the general topic: Tony Atkins, The Science and Engineering of Cutting, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2009. The preview on google books give you a good overview of the content. Don’t look here for specific answers to specific questions.

Lee O’Hagan

Joined: September 30, 2003

Likes: 6 pages

Posts: 529

Location: Northamptonshire, EnglandJoined: Sep 30, 2003 Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:11 PM Post subject:

Tomahawks, katana, viking sword, claymore, ninja to, have all featured in the few shows I’ve seen,

In the UK it is shown on history channel Bravo and Virgin One.

worth a look if you haven’t seen it

I’ve only seen a couple of the martial arts shows but again a very interesting show Deadliest Warrior is a show where they use similar dummies and all sorts of speed and power tech to resemble what you’re asking Tomahawks, Katana, Viking Sword, Claymore ,ninja to, have all been on the history channel in the few shows I’ve seen in the UK, Bravo and Virgin One, worth a look if you haven’t seen just a few of the Watched Fight Science Shows but again very interesting show,

Artis Aboltins

Joined: June 16, 2006

Preferences: 3 sides

Reading list: 2 books

Posts: 530

Joined: Jun 16, 2006 Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:27 PM Post subject: Lee O’Hagan wrote: Deadliest warrior is a show where they use Similer dummies and all sorts of speed and power technologies use to resemble what you’re asking.

Tomahawks, katana, viking sword, claymore, ninja to, have all featured in the few shows I’ve seen,

In the UK it is shown on history channel Bravo and Virgin One.

worth a look if you haven’t seen it

I’ve only seen a few of the martial arts shows, but again a very interesting show,

Unfortunately, this is one of the worst shows in terms of historical accuracy that I’ve watched with displeasure. Of course, it’s fun to see someone whack the dummies around with different weapons, but that’s about all the show has to offer.

Lee O’Hagan

Joined: September 30, 2003

Likes: 6 pages

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Location: Northamptonshire, EnglandJoined: Sep 30, 2003 Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:40 PM Post subject:

lol i never mentioned historical accuracy,

how many have you seen

It’s a nice change for me not to have to pat Peppa Pig or the postman lately,

It’s just a show, I’ve seen the ballistic dummies used

As I get older, from experience it seems that historical accuracy is more of a personal opinion, or winners’ opinion written in the history books,

today at work i was reliably informed that the british didn’t even have sunshine until the romans gave it to them,

from my roman work colleague, but dear fellow, a lot of time for us heathen uneducated celt types. Artis lol I never mentioned historical accuracy how many have you seen? For me I haven’t had to watch Peppa Pig or postmen pat lately, it’s a nice change of pace, it’s just a show, I had seen the ballistic dummies used, the older I get, from experience it seems that historical Accuracy being more of a personal opinion, or the opinion of winners written in the history books, at work today I was reliably informed that the Brits didn’t even have sunshine until the Romans gave it to them, from my Roman work colleague, but nice guy, lots of time for us heathen uneducated celt types.

Artis Aboltins

Joined: June 16, 2006

Preferences: 3 sides

Reading list: 2 books

Posts: 530

Joined: Jun 16, 2006 Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:57 PM Post subject: Lee O’Hagan wrote: Artis,

lol i never mentioned historical accuracy,

how many have you seen

It’s a nice change for me not to have to pat Peppa Pig or the postman lately,

It’s just a show, I’ve seen the ballistic dummies used

As I get older, from experience it seems that historical accuracy is more of a personal opinion, or winners’ opinion written in the history books,

today at work i was reliably informed that the british didn’t even have sunshine until the romans gave it to them,

from my roman work colleague, but dear fellow, a lot of time for us heathen uneducated celt types.

Not to derail the thread – this show has been discussed here before and the responses have been… quite heated, shall we say, because people who see this kind of pseudoscience think they think it’s true. And that in turn means more and more work for serious researchers to convince them otherwise. And for the record, by accuracy I mean the accuracy of the weapons and armor on display, which in most cases was next to non-existent.

Anyhow, getting back to the original purpose of the thread – I think Dan has identified the most appropriate place for such research – the effect of the arrows on the flesh might be worth investigating with such devices.

Douglas S

Joined: February 18, 2004

Posts: 177

Joined: Feb 18, 2004 Posted: Thursday March 18, 2010 3:35 PM Post subject: Honestly, the use of ballistic gel was developed after shooting pig legs to evaluate the bullet design. Gelatin was chosen for balls because of its apparent resemblance to meat. I wouldn’t assume the same applies to swords.

It can be worthwhile for someone to test swords on flesh and on various simulation materials such as ballistic gel and tatami mats. We are waiting for a volunteer.

Keep in mind that the bones they use in these models, whether plastic or real (but dead) bone, do not create a realistic simulation of the movement of blades through living bone.

Marco Cantu

Joined: May 28, 2004

Likes: 1 page

Posts: 116

Joined: May 28, 2004 Posted: Thursday March 18, 2010 4:15 PM Post subject: Calibrated ballistic gelatin is manufactured to simulate the resistance of the human body in general. It’s not specifically made for bullets…

Douglas S

Joined: February 18, 2004

Posts: 177

Joined: Feb 18, 2004 Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:08 AM Post subject: Marcos Cantu wrote: Calibrated ballistic gelatin is manufactured to simulate the resistance of the human body in general. It’s not specifically made for bullets…

How is it used by industry aside from testing bullets? Source?

Timo Niemen

Joined: May 08, 2009

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Location: Brisbane, Australia Joined: May 08, 2009 Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:56 PM Post subject: Ballistic gelatin consists mainly of water held together by a network of proteins.

Human tissue is mostly water held together by a network of proteins.

Sounds like it should be easy to fit? One problem is the inhomogeneity of the tissue. (As mentioned in the “Ballistic Gelatin” report linked earlier in the thread.

But is that a big problem? In a sword’s natural intended target, how much of the cut resistance is due to the soft wet tissue (i.e. what is represented by ballistic gelatin)? How much is skin and bones, maybe tendons? How much is due on clothes? As long as it’s easy to cut and keeps its shape, it might be suitable as a target to replace soft tissue, although it’s not a very good soft tissue simulant in terms of cutting – a small contribution to the whole process doesn’t need to be modeled very accurately .

I think the overall mechanical properties of the whole block are important – the inertia and resiliency it provides as a carrier for the skin sim and cloth/armor covering. The inertial part is simple – just mostly water (a bottle of water, a water balloon, a watermelon, a wet sponge would all do) and has similar elasticity (and at the relevant strain rates). I don’t know how well BG does this; maybe not as good as it is matched to the viscosity of tissue. Given that we can’t represent the elasticity of muscles with a single number (poke a relaxed muscle, then poke a tight muscle), this might be a bit tricky. Matching dead meat does not mean matching live meat. But at this point it becomes important to model the whole body and its movement when hit.

So it’s really quite difficult to get it right. Making it “good enough” is a lot easier. Maybe that would be a different mix than the usual BG. This might not give the right amount of cutting resistance, but if it’s still easy to cut then it might not matter.

hp I spoke to a WMA novice about cutting and pointed out how easy it is to cut soft tissue. Just think how easy it is to cut meat with a sharp knife while cooking, I say to capitalize on our experience of cutting soft, wet tissue. But this person (an adult – young, but still an adult!) had never cut meat with a knife, so had no experience.

Chris Mills

Joined: 06/03/2010

Posts: 2

Location: Simi ValleyJoined: Jun 3, 2010 Posted: Thu Jun 3, 2010 12:18 AM Post subject: Ballistics Dummy So we produce the ballistics gel dummies at the Silver Shamrock Lab. During Season 2 of Deadliest Warrior, we started changing the formulas of the gel depending on the test. For weapons we went with the standard formula, but for swords I made it a little harder. While this is still only a rough approximation of what could happen, we at least tried to make the tests more accurate.

The only downside for the Ballistics Dummies is the lack of strings and Muselton. They tend to tear and fall apart more easily than live flesh.

Christopher H

Joined: March 06, 2008

Posts: 79

Joined: Mar 06, 2008 Posted: Thursday Jun 3, 2010 1:05 AM Post subject: I think muscle tone is a very important aspect… Gel is a passive structure while muscles can change their properties through contraction … that would be interesting to see how much resistance changes with contraction … has anyone else done the frog leg experiment in physiology?

Eric Fuck

Joined: September 16, 2009

Posts: 78

Location: CaliforniaJoined: Sep 16, 2009 Posted: Fri Jun 4, 2010 2:49 PM Post subject: Re: Ballistics Dummy Chris Mills wrote: How we produce the Ballistics Gel Dummies at the Silver Shamrock Lab. During Season 2 of Deadliest Warrior, we started changing the formulas of the gel depending on the test. For weapons we went with the standard formula, but for swords I made it a little harder. While this is still only a rough approximation of what could happen, we at least tried to make the tests more accurate.

The only downside for the Ballistics Dummies is the lack of strings and Muselton. They tend to tear and fall apart more easily than live flesh.

Is that right? YOU do the ballistic gel dummies at the Silver Shamrock Lab? Is there a chance to sell them? Cheers,

Eric Fuck

Davenriche European Martial Arts Schoole

www.swordfightingschool.com Cheers, Eric FickDavenriche European Martial Artes Schoole

Chris Mills

Joined: 06/03/2010

Posts: 2

Location: Simi ValleyJoined: Jun 03, 2010 Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 3:54 PM Post subject: Yes, at Silver Shamrock Lab we sell the Ballistic Gel Dummies.

Have you ever wondered how much information a bullet can provide to forensic investigators involved in a criminal investigation? This was made possible by a branch of forensic science called ballistics. Forensic ballistics, or ballistic fingerprinting as such, is an area of ​​mechanics applicable to the launch, behavior, flight, and action of projectiles. It is particularly applicable to bullets, rockets, and unguided bombs. Simply put, ballistics is the application of science to study a bullet’s path from source to target.

In forensics, ballistics is the science that helps deduce information admissible in a court of law or other part of the legal system pertaining to the use of bullets in a criminal offense. This is possible through the scientific analysis of bullets and bullet impacts to draw logical conclusions about the incident. In layman’s terms, forensic ballistics involves matching recovered projectiles and their casings to the firearm from which they were likely fired.

So what is the most important information a ballistics specialist can glean from a bullet, or even a bullet impression? For example, a forensic ballistics expert can pinpoint the distance, angle, and even time a weapon was fired by carefully analyzing the damage the bullet takes when it hits a rigid surface. Additionally, forensic ballistics has the potential to assist investigators in determining the shooter’s identity. One way to accomplish this is to examine any residue on the bullet and compare it to that found on the suspect’s hand or body, the firearm used, or other item found at the crime scene.

Ballistic Fingerprinting – The Science of Firearm Ballistics

Ballistic fingerprinting includes analysis of tool marks, firearms and ammunition. This helps match a bullet to the firearm that fired it. Ballistic fingerprinting is based on the fundamental principle that there are inevitable variations in all firearms. These are marks that occur during the machining process and also from normal wear and tear.

Therefore, every firearm leaves a unique imprint on the cartridge case that fires it. As a result, a bullet will inevitably leave a distinct pattern on whatever it hits. Ballistics experts are able to determine the type of firearm used in a crime by examining the marks left on a bullet or the impact it leaves on a surface. You can even extract a defaced gun serial number to identify its registered owner.

The study of firearm ballistics and firearms is often roughly divided into three categories – internal, external and terminal. Internal ballistics is all about the processes inside a firearm and the microseconds between pulling the trigger and the bullet exiting the gun’s muzzle. External ballistics deals with the bullet’s path from source to target. And terminal ballistics, also called impact ballistics, is the study of the impact of the projectile on the target.

Ballistics details collected from around the world are entered into a large database that can be accessed by law enforcement agencies worldwide. This helps investigators find relevant data from previous recordings/investigations to track down a suspect.

Notable ways to link a weapon to a crime scene

Although guns and bullets are associated with the most serious and deadly crimes, they also tend to leave behind the clearest evidence. Bullet holes, bullet casings, blood spatter patterns and even dropped guns are some of the key clues that crime scene investigators look for. Once the crime scene is photographed, plotted, and all evidence is listed, the shell casings, bullet fragments, and other important evidence are collected, preserved, and sent to forensic laboratories for examination. For bullets embedded in furniture or soft plaster, the part around the bullet and with the bullet is carefully removed. This ensures that the channel caused by the bullet is preserved for further investigation by forensic experts.

Wondering how forensic ballistics can be used to recreate a crime scene or investigate a criminal incident? Here’s how.

1. Patterns left by gunpowder residue

Although it may seem that the bullet is the only object that leaves the barrel when a gun is fired. In reality, when shooting, gunpowder residue is also ejected, creating a unique pattern on an object near the barrel. The type of pattern varies depending on the distance between the weapon and the target. Forensic ballistics experts can relate such patterns to the approximate range from which the particular firearm was fired. There have been numerous instances in the past where the criminal(s) tactfully left the victim in a condition that allegedly suggested suicide. However, the absence of traces of powder on the hand holding a gun or in the area around a bullet hole makes the likelihood of suicide very unlikely.

2. Analyzing trajectory, bullet cavities and ricochet

Tracking the trajectory of a bullet greatly aids investigators in recreating the events of a crime. A bullet’s trajectory helps forensic ballistae deduce the direction from which a projectile is fired. Once bullet holes are found on the floor, wall, ceiling, or other location/object at the crime scene, investigators can use two methods to determine the trajectory. In the older method, sticks and string were inserted into the bullet holes to determine the bullet’s trajectory, as well as the shooter’s position, elevation, and many other details. The newer method involves using a laser to determine the bullet’s trajectory. In addition, investigators can gather more detail from the trails left by ricocheting bullets.

3. Streaks on a fired bullet

What makes each firearm unique is the “drawing” process that occurs during the manufacture of its barrel. This process results in the creation of a series of grooves and spirals along the inside of the barrel. These grooves are necessary because they give a bullet the necessary spin to improve its flight accuracy and stability. Therefore, a bullet once fired always bears markings reflecting the spiral grooves and lands inside the firearm’s barrel. This is crucial evidence to match a bullet to the gun that fired it, as no two grooves in a firearm barrel are alike, just like fingerprints!

To further narrow down the specific firearm, ballistic fingerprinting experts analyze and measure the type, angle, and number of spiral grooves, and also check whether they rotate counter-clockwise or clockwise. However, the use of shotguns in a crime will likely leave forensic investigators scratching their heads trying to trace it back. This is because such weapons lack rifling, due to which the bullets fired from them do not have streaks.

4. Firing pin, extractor pin and ejector impressions

When a gun is fired, the firing pin strikes the center of the cartridge to detonate the primer, and only then is the bullet released. Just so you know, the primer is the blasting cap responsible for igniting the gunpowder when struck by the firing pin. In addition, the firing pin leaves a characteristic indentation when it hits the center ring of the cartridge case. This impression, unique to a specific gun’s firing pin, can actually be used to associate cartridges with specific firearms, just like comparing gun marks to bullet streaks. In addition, the extractor pin and ejector in a firearm, which are responsible for ejecting the spent cartridge case from the chamber, also create distinct indentations on the cartridge case that are unique to a particular gun.

5. Tissue damage from the bullet

Forensic investigators are very adept at uncovering a wealth of information from the wounds inflicted on the victim. Regardless of whether the bullet fragment is recovered or not, the wound itself can reveal the bullet type, hit rate, shot distance, speed and much more! The distance, speed and direction of the shot can be determined from the cracks in dense bones such as skulls. In fact, grazing bullets are known to create small areas of torn skin that are pulled up and torn due to a high-velocity bullet. Therefore, the nature of wounds and bone/tissue damage opens up a world of information for forensic investigators.

6. Fingerprints

It is only obvious that a shooter would physically handle the bullets while loading them into a cylinder. This leads to sweat being deposited on the surface of the firearm with every touch. The intense heat of firing a bullet causes moisture in sweat to evaporate, leaving salts on the gun’s surface. This is the precursor to fingerprint recovery from its surface! Once the recovered firearm is exposed to superglue (cyanoacrylate) fumes, the fumes will adhere to these salts and etch fingerprints onto the surface of the gun. The contrast of the fingerprints is further improved by using a fingerprint powder. Once fingerprints are recovered, they can be matched against a fingerprint database such as the built-in Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) to lead to the suspect.

7. Serial number extraction

Every legally manufactured firearm is given a unique serial number during its manufacture. The engraving process results in the numerals also being embossed beneath the surface of the metal. Often a criminal will use his sneaky ingenuity to destroy this serial number by filing/grinding to avoid tracking the weapon. The fact that they are fully aware, however, is that these serial numbers can be recovered by forensic scientists. Two commonly used techniques for this are – Chemical Restoration and Magnetic Particle Inspection. Various reagents are available to restore the serial number by reacting them with the surface of the firearm. However, chemical recovery often results in significant damage to the evidence and is usually the last resort when magnetic inspection fails. Once successfully recovered, the serial number will help determine the history of the gun as well as its owner.

8. Thorough weapons inspection

A thorough examination of a firearm will help determine whether or not it was actually used to fire the shots in question? Although a range of evidence found at the crime scene (cartridge casings, spent ammunition, gunshot residue, wounds, etc.) can be used to establish this, examination of the firearm is just as important in establishing its connection to the crime.

Some suspects in the shooting fake the firing of the firearm as an accident or as a result of a gun malfunction. Careful examination of the firearm will help establish this claim, particularly the trigger pressure – the force required to pull a trigger. Certain firearms have light trigger pulls that can result in an accidental shot. Therefore, calculating the trigger pressure can actually help determine the possibility of an accidental discharge. In addition, it is also important to check whether the firearm had an option to choose a normal trigger or a light trigger. To determine if firing was accidental, the firearm is subjected to a concussion test. To do this, it is subjected to a series of shocks over various distances and surfaces to test the possibility of an accidental discharge. Sometimes a test shot in water or gelatin may also be required to obtain test bullets and cartridge cases. This will help match them to the recovered evidence.

Incognito Forensic Foundation (IFF Lab) – A premier private forensic laboratory in the criminal investigation league

The Incognito Forensic Foundation (IFF Lab) is a leading private forensic laboratory with headquarters in Chennai and an office in Bangalore. With a repertoire of hand-picked forensic experts from leading forensic institutes, it strives to always be one step ahead of the rest. IFF Lab has a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory and uses the latest tools and techniques to conduct criminal investigations. They have assisted law enforcement agencies across India in investigating complex and highly sensitive cases. In addition to criminal investigations, they have also emerged as pioneers in cyber and digital forensics. A valuable addition to the forensic field, IFF Lab stands by its commitment to providing selfless service to the nation.

She went ballistic when she discovered her sister was using her nail polish

Current examples on the web

John Kirby, a White House national security spokesman, said the emerging military partnership should promote a regional air defense system that could protect against Iranian ballistic missiles and drones. — Chris Megerian, ajc, July 11, 2022

The Ukrainian army is firing more and more of its old Soviet-made Tochka ballistic missiles, targeting Russian supply centers, oil depots and airfields up to 75 miles away. – David Axe, Forbes, July 6, 2022

We were even hit by ballistic missiles launched from the Black Sea. – Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, July 5, 2022

The Russian Defense Ministry later accused Ukraine of using ballistic missiles to attack the city. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, July 3, 2022

Russia: Moscow threatened to deploy ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons on its border if Sweden and Finland joined NATO and warned that Ukraine’s membership in the military alliance could trigger World War III. — WSJ, June 29, 2022

When Biden visits Riyadh in mid-July, talks are expected to include Gulf security concerns over Iran’s ballistic missiles. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, June 27, 2022

In the 20 years since Vladimir Putin came to power in Russia, the relationship between the military and the Russian Orthodox Church has grown closer, with priests blessing everything from ballistic missiles to submarines. — Ana Faguy, USA TODAY, June 24, 2022

Yesterday missiles, today artillery: If there are heavy drones tomorrow, does that necessarily mean fighter jets and ballistic missiles the day after tomorrow? – David Hambling, Forbes, June 21, 2022

See more

ballistic testing

Ballistics testing is an integral part of the production of a wide range of products. What is ballistic testing, what is it used for and how is it applied?

What is ballistic testing?

Ballistics is defined as the study and science of projectiles and firearms. Ballistics testing is a standards-based process that tests products to determine if they meet protection, safety and performance criteria. Most ballistic tests support commercial research and development programs as well as law enforcement and military applications.

While almost any product can be ballistic tested, the most common applications for this form of testing are:

Personal Protective Equipment – Bulletproof vests and other equipment worn by law enforcement and military personnel.

Bulletproof vests and other gear worn by law enforcement and military personnel. Vehicle and Structure Armor – Both bulletproof vehicles and glass require adequate ballistic testing.

Both bulletproof vehicles and glass require adequate ballistic testing. Firearms and Ammunition – Both must be tested before use to ensure they are safe.

NIJ and CAST standards

A number of different types of testing in this area are performed at a variety of ballistic testing facilities. Most testing is conducted in state-of-the-art indoor test areas that can be air-conditioned to reduce the number of variables present during testing. The areas are equipped with NIJ and CAST approved equipment to measure and record the results of each test.

The measurement equipment used in these tests is designed to keep track of all variables. The exact loading for a specific ballistic test facility may vary, but you will typically use the following:

FARO laser scanners

FARO point probes

Doppler radar

high speed cameras

speed meter

Devices tested for use in law enforcement or military applications must pass both NIJ and CAST certification tests.

NIJ, or the National Institute of Justice, is responsible for the development, testing, and certification of both ballistic-resistant and stab-resistant body armor in the United States.

CAST, the Center for Applied Science and Technology, does the same for UK applications.

Any equipment used by law enforcement or military personnel must meet either NIJ standards or CAST standards, depending on where it is manufactured and used.

Types of ballistic tests

Ballistic testing can vary widely from one test to the next depending on the requirements of each contract. The best option is to find a ballistic testing facility that can offer a variety of different tests for body armor certification upon request, including:

Threat tests for bullets, cubes, RCCs, FSPs, etc.

Low speed and fragmentation tests

Small and medium caliber threats (up to 30 mm)

Spiked and edged weapon threats for body armor

Non-lethal threats (e.g. blunt weapons)

Explosion testing (mines, IEDs, etc.)

For blast testing, it can be valuable to know how they will respond to such a variable, even when there is ballistic evidence that the equipment will not withstand a blast.

With any luck, you’ll never have to use a bulletproof or stab-proof vest. However, in case of need, it is always best to have a vest or armored vehicle that is certified for your protection.