Development and commissioning of an instrumented pneumatic device to simulate blunt- and sharp-force trauma

• Published in: Forensic science international 2020-02, Vol.307, p.110123-110123, Article 110123
• Main Authors: Gaudet, Justin R., Lievers, W. Brent, Fairgrieve, Scott I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Blunt-force trauma; Commissioning; Design; Equipment Design; Forensic anthropology; Forensic Anthropology - instrumentation; Forensic sciences; Fractures; Humans; Impact tests; Instrumented device; Models, Animal; Porcine ribs; Researchers; Ribs - injuries; Ribs - pathology; Sharp-force trauma; Swine; Trauma; Velocity; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - pathology; Wounds, Penetrating - pathology
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.110123

[Display omitted] •Presents an instrumented device capable of simulating blunt- and sharp-force trauma.•Describes a low-inertia coupler reduce implement mass-effects during impact.•Blunt have higher peak forces, average forces, and work than sharp impacts. Forensic investigators commonly interpret bone fracture patterns to estimate the force required to generate that trauma. Unfortunately, these estimates are limited to qualitative values such as “mild”, “moderate” or “extreme” force. This work presents a new experimental forensic device developed to simulate blunt- and sharp-force trauma injuries, while recording the forces and velocities involved, so that a more quantitative relationship between force and trauma can be established. The machine design is described in some detail, its capabilities are outlined, and the results of the commissioning and validation tests are presented. Preliminary results for both blunt- and sharp-force testing of porcine ribs, conducted at 3.8m/s, indicate the average peak force (733±95N versus 392±73N), average force (334±49N versus 101±24N), and work (2.34±0.26J versus 0.68±0.09J) are significantly higher in the blunt case. The experimental data generated by this instrumented device will allow forensic investigators to create a better quantitative link between incident conditions (velocity, force, work) and the resulting fracture patterns.