Understanding the Biomechanics Following Ballistic Cranial Trauma by Human Cranial Biomaterials

Abstract

A comprehensive understanding of biomechanics and subsequent cranial trauma resulting from firearm-related ballistic impacts requires repetitive experiments, necessitating the utilisation in place of ethically limited human cadavers and animals. To accurately represent the post-impact biomechanics of human craniums, an MRI-based anatomical tri-layered (skin-skull-brain) human cranial model with suitable biomaterials selected for each layer is developed for evaluating ballistic impact responses at three different locations: right temple, left temple, and forehead. The validation of the physical model, both quantitatively and qualitatively, demonstrates its ability to replicate similar skull fractures, entrance wound shape and size, material backspatter, and backward skin ballooning observed in human cranium animal models. The study establishes the pattern between post-impact characteristics and the degree of cranial injury, in which irregular wound features, increased skull fractures, earlier backspatter, and larger temporary cavity sizes and energy absorption are related to a greater degree of cranial injury. These observations are more pronounced in impacts on the right temple than the left temple and forehead, providing the influence of the impact location and angle on the severity of cranial injury. These established cranial injury patterns contribute to a deeper understanding of cranial biomechanics and provide valuable guidance for forensic investigations and biomedical applications.

Keywords: Cranial Injury, Ballistic impact, Biomaterial, Physical model, biomechanics