BTG Research work in wound ballistics has focused on the forces present in projectile-tissue interactions. Some emphasis has been on quantifying remote neurological effects of shear and compressive stress waves (ballistic pressure waves, hydrostatic shock).   Beyond basic penetration data, post-penetration velocity, energy transfer, accelerations, and force of resistance can often be determined in conjunction with high speed video data. We have additional test capabilities in terminal ballistics suitable for testing armor and material samples.

We developed simple empirical models identifying remote neural effects in published data sets and in our own experiments. This work has implications for ammunition selection in law enforcement and military applications and also for understanding the propagation of pressure waves through the body, which is relevant to blast injury and behind armor effects as well as penetrating ballistic injury.

Current and future work focuses on selection criteria for more effective projectiles as well as development, selection, and testing of more effective body armor to reduce behind armor blunt trauma (BABT).

Papers

History and evidence regarding hydrostatic shock.