NCJ Number
74048
Date Published
1980
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Noting that one reason for the decrease in police deaths from unexpected assault between 1975 and 1980 is police use of body armor, the film shows how 'Kevlar' body armor, woven from a new DuPont fiber, is tested and discusses its effectiveness against weapon attacks.
Abstract
Equipment in the U.S. Army's Environmental Laboratory is depicted and its contribution toward creating a body armor that offers the most protection with the least amount of heat buildup is presented. The equipment includes a copper mannequin to aid in analyzing heat buildup and a low profile analyzer to simulate officer performance and to help determine the fit and comfort of police body armor. The film also discusses the protection offered by body armor against different kinds of weapons including knives, handguns, and rifles. It describes 'blunt trauma' or bruises and bleeding resulting from the impact of a bullet or weapon and states that any police officer who is assaulted should be admitted to a hospital for observation. The field evaluation of body armor conducted by the National Institute of Justice in 15 cities is discussed, and the importance of body armor in saving police officers from serious injury or death is emphasized.