A METHOD FOR DIGITALLY RECONSTRUCTING PROJECTILE FRAGMENTATION PATTERNS IN GELATIN BLOCKS THAT REQUIRES MINIMAL DATA COLLECTION

The purpose of this paper is to propose a method for constructing a three-dimensional (3D) digital representation of projectile fragmentation patterns in gelatin blocks that requires minimal data collection. The data points required are the start and end points of each fragment’s wound track, as well as the track level designations (a means of organizing how the wound tracks are connected). The maximum likelihood estimates for the parameters of the wound track models are then used to determine the “best fit” fragmentation pattern. Though this paper focuses on the application to gelatin fragmentation patterns, the methodology can be readily used for any visco-elastic material.