Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 41 No. 3, 2002.
Original scientific paper
The Application of Computed Tomography in the Analysis of Permanent Cavity: A New Method in Terminal Ballistics
Želimir Korać
Dubravko Kelenc
Janko Hančević
Ana Baškot
Danko Mikulić
Abstract
The objective of this experimental study was to develop a new method in terminal ballistics that would allow for precise numerical analysis of the characteristics of permanent cavity by use of computed tomography. Shots were made with Russian AK-74 assault rifle (5.45 mm) into gelatin blocks. Computed tomography scans of the blocks were obtained, translated to digital format, and analyzed using computer software. The area of selected cross-sections of the wound channel was calculated. Maximal destruction of the tissue simulant was recorded between 180 and 220 mm of the missile trajectory. Total and segmental areas of the tissue simulant destruction and missile directions showed significant variation. The method was found to measure terminal ballistic phenomena of the wound channel with considerable precision. It would allow for the effects of different weapons to measure, with implications for the understanding and treatment of gunshot wounds.
Keywords
Wounds, penetrating - etiology; Wounds, gunshot - methods; Military medicine; Tomography, x-ray computed
Hrčak ID:
14732
URI
Publication date:
2.9.2002.
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