Preliminary assessment of IED-related blast and fragmentation effects in ballistic gelatin

Authors

  • Luís Marques Fernandes Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal. UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Forensics and Biomedical Sciences Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal. OSI – Homeland Security Observatory, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8973-9113
  • Beatriz Silva-Lopes Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal. UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Forensics and Biomedical Sciences Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal.
  • Manuela Oliveira Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal. UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Forensics and Biomedical Sciences Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal. OSI – Homeland Security Observatory, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
  • Albina Dolores Resende Associate Laboratory i4HB – Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences - CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal. UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Toxicologic Pathology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal. UNIPRO – Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences, CESPU, CRL, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2026.455

Keywords:

Poster

Abstract

Background: Ballistic gelatin (BG) is widely used as a soft tissue surrogate in forensic and biomedical research, particularly in studies of projectile-related trauma, enabling controlled analysis of penetration, cavitation, and energy transfer [1–3]. Although its behaviour under ballistic impact is well characterised, its application to blast- and fragmentation-related phenomena remains underexplored. Recent studies have examined fragment–gelatin interactions under controlled conditions, emphasising energy transfer and cavity formation in trauma modelling; however, approaches approximating improvised explosive device (IED) scenarios remain limited. Objective: To assess whether standardised BG can serve as a preliminary model for qualitative evaluation of shrapnel-related trauma under different detonation conditions, focusing on cavity morphology, penetration characteristics, fragment dispersion, and structural integrity. Methods: Blocks of 10% ballistic gelatin (Bloom 250A) were prepared following Jussila’s protocol and validated using established calibration procedures [3,4]. Three configurations were tested: (i) exposure to fragments from a simulated defensive grenade containing metallic spheres; (ii) placement of a commercial electric detonator adjacent to the BG surface; and (iii) placement of the same detonator within the gelatin block. Post-detonation effects were documented photographically and qualitatively assessed for cavity morphology, penetration depth, fragment distribution, and matrix preservation. Results: The simulated grenade produced marked surface disruption and wide dispersion of metallic fragments. Surface detonations generated shallow cavities with limited fragment retention. Internal detonations resulted in deeper, more centralised cavities and greater structural disruption. Distinct and reproducible patterns of matrix alteration were observed across configurations. Conclusions: These preliminary assays demonstrate the feasibility of BG in blast-related experimental settings and its ability to preserve sufficient structural integrity for comparative qualitative analysis of detonation patterns. Although no quantitative measurements or statistical analysis were performed, the findings support its use as an initial model for studying IED-related blast and fragmentation effects under controlled conditions, with potential forensic and experimental applications. Further work will incorporate quantitative metrics and high-speed imaging.

References

1. Terefe, O.T. et al. Damage mechanisms from low-velocity penetrating shrapnel in ballistic gelatin. Def Technol 2025, 54, 107–121, doi: 10.1016/j.dt.2025.07.008.

2. LeSueur, J. et al. Evaluation of synthetic clear gelatin as an acceptable surrogate for low-velocity penetrating impacts using the depth of penetration calibration standard. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2024, 159, 106710, doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2024.106710.

3. Jussila, J. Preparing ballistic gelatine—Review and proposal for a standard method. Forensic Sci Int 2004, 141, 91–98, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2003.11.036.

4. Jussila, J. Measurement of kinetic energy dissipation with gelatine fissure formation with special reference to gelatine validation. Forensic Sci Int 2005, 150, 53-62, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.06.038

Downloads

Published

2026-05-05

How to Cite

Marques Fernandes, L., Silva-Lopes, B., Oliveira, M., & Resende, A. D. (2026). Preliminary assessment of IED-related blast and fragmentation effects in ballistic gelatin. Scientific Letters, 1(Sup 1). https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2026.455

Issue

Vol. 1 No. Sup 1 (2026)

Section

Posters

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Luís Marques Fernandes, Beatriz Silva-Lopes, Manuela Oliveira, Albina Dolores Resende

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

In Scientific Letters, articles are published under a CC-BY license (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License), the most open license available. The users can share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially), as long as they give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made (read the full text of the license terms and conditions of use).

The author is the owner of the copyright.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>