A NEW BALLISTIC SIMULANT "TRANSPARENT GEL CANDLE" (EXPERIMENTAL STUDY)

Background: Inanimate tissue simulants have been used to show the bullet effects in ballistic studies. Gelatin has been being used as a ballistic simulant for the last 20 years. It was considered that transparent gel candle (kraton in white paraffin oil) might be used as a soft tissue simulant that can be an alternative for gelatin.
Methods: For calibration of transplant gel candle, firstly it was shot at the 10% ordnance gelatin at 4 o C, and several concentrations of the transparent gel candle at 4 o C, by later on, by using a competition air gun. It was seen that 15% kraton in 85% white paraffin oil is the most suitable concentration. This kind of transparent gel candle blocks tested by using 9 mm parabellum and 7.62 mm x 51 (NATO 7.62) infantry rifle bullets and high-speed camera.
Results: Because of its transparency and elasticity, the penetration, permanent and temporary cavities of bullets were observed clearly in transparent gel candle.
Conclusions: As a result, transparent gel candle is a good soft tissue simulant that it can be used in wound ballistic studies.