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Applicability of Cranial Models in Urethane Resin and Foam as a Substitute for Bone: Are Synthetic Materials Reliable?

NCJ Number
246194
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2013 Pages: 1257-1263
Author(s)
Enrico Muccino M.D.; Davide Porta B.Sc.; Francesca Magli M.Sc.; Alfredo Cigada Ph.D.; Remo Sala Ph.D.; Daniele Gibelli Ph.D.; Cristina Cattaneo Ph.D.
Date Published
September 2013
Length
7 pages
Annotation
As literature is poor in functional synthetic cranial models, in this study, synthetic handmade models of cranial vaults were produced in two different materials a urethane resin and a self-hardening foam, from multiple bone specimens eight original cranial vaults: four human and four swine, in order to test their resemblance to bone structure in behavior, during fracture formation.
Abstract
As literature is poor in functional synthetic cranial models, in this study, synthetic handmade models of cranial vaults were produced in two different materials a urethane resin and a self-hardening foam, from multiple bone specimens eight original cranial vaults: four human and four swine, in order to test their resemblance to bone structure in behavior, during fracture formation. All the vaults were mechanically tested with a 2-kg impact weight and filmed with a high-speed camera. Fracture patterns were homogeneous in all swine vaults and heterogeneous in human vaults, with resin fractures more similar to bone fractures. Mean fracture latency time extrapolated by videos were of 0.75 msec bone, 1.5 msec resin, 5.12 msec foam for human vaults and of 0.625 msec bone, 1.87 msec resin, 3.75 msec foam for swine vaults. These data showed that resin models are more similar to bone than foam reproductions, but that synthetic material may behave quite differently from bone as concerns fracture latency times. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.

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