title: Velocity necessary for a BB to penetrate the eye: an experimental study using pig eyes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the V-50 threshold velocity needed for a steel BB to penetrate the eye of a 230-pound pig.
  
  
  METHODS
  BBs were shot at a distance of 10 feet into the corneas of pig eyes with a pump-action BB gun.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The V-50 velocity for corneal penetration and serious disruption of the eye was found to be 246 ft/sec.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the nearly identical size and anatomy of the human eye to the pig eyes used in this study, it is felt that 246 ft/sec is a reasonable approximation of the velocity needed to penetrate the human eye.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Laboratory, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
authors.forename: Kramer D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Powley
authors.forename: Dean B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Dahlstrom
authors.forename: Valerie J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: Martin L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Fackler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D044709:Forensic Ballistics; D023421:Models, Animal; D013552:Swine; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology*