title: A new ballistic simulant "transparent gel candle" (experimental study).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inanimate tissue stimulants have been used to show the bullet effects in ballistic studies. Gelatin has been being used as a ballistic stimulant for the last 20 years. It was considered that transparent gel candle (kraton in white paraffin oil) might be used as a soft tissue stimulant that can be an alternative for gelatin.
  
  
  METHODS
  For calibration of transplant gel candle, firstly it was shot at the 10% ordinance 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 stimulant that it can be used in wound ballistic studies.
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Department, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara-Turkey. mdakak@gata.edu.tr
authors.forename: Ali Ihsan
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Uzar
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dakak
authors.forename: Tahir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozer
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oğünç
authors.forename: Taner
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yiğit
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kayahan
authors.forename: Köksal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oner
authors.forename: Derviş
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sen
mesh_terms: D005554:Forensic Medicine; D005780:Gelatin; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D005780:Gelatin