title: Preservation and storage of prepared ballistic gelatine.
abstract: The use of ballistic gelatine, generally accepted as a human muscle tissue simulant in wound ballistic studies, might be improved by adding a preservative (Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate) which inhibits microbial growth. This study shows that replacing a part of the gelatine powder by the preservative does not significantly alter the penetration depth of projectiles. Storing prepared blocks of ballistic gelatine over time decreased the penetration depth of projectiles. Storage of prepared gelatine for 4 week already showed a significant effect on the penetration depth of projectiles.
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands. Electronic address: e.mattijssen@nfi.minvenj.nl.
authors.forename: E J A T
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mattijssen
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alberink
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: van den Boogaard
mesh_terms: D005389:Firearms; D044709:Forensic Ballistics / Q000379:methods*; D005780:Gelatin; D008954:Models, Biological; D010226:Parabens; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D010226:Parabens; D005780:Gelatin; C038193:4-hydroxybenzoic acid
keywords: Ballistic gelatine; Firearms; Forensic science; Lethality; Preservation; Validation