NCJ Number
80217
Date Published
1981
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This law enforcement guide to lightweight body armor discusses the factors accounted for in developing body armor, the threat levels that officers should be protected against, and the types of armor commercially available. Performance standards are reviewed, and results of tests on various kinds of armor are presented.
Abstract
Lightweight body armor was developed based on the concept of limited protection. The National Institute of Justice objective, predicated on normal street threat, was to accept a 95-percent probability of survival after being hit with a .38 caliber bullet at a velocity of 800 feet per second. Further, the probability of requiring surgery if hit by such a projectile was to be 10 percent or less. Departments purchasing soft body armor should be aware that both the ballistic protection qualities (yarn and fabric characteristics that prevent penetration) and the resistance to serious blunt trauma (the impact of a projectile that does not penetrate) are important. In addition, departments should base their choice of armor on a properly structured standard, such as the voluntary national standard (NILECJ-0101.01) developed by the Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory for NIJ, and on identification of the threat level for police self-protection. Practical considerations in the selection of armor type include comfort, fit, and restriction of movement. The protective undergarment is the most widely used police body armor. Such garments are relatively comfortable, lightweight (2 to 4.5 pounds), and not constrictive. They are also available with special pouches for inserting armor panels for additional ballistic protection. Other available garments are the ballistic protective outer vest, raincoats, jackets, winter coats with ballistic liners, and shirts and sport coats with ballistic protection. Tips on maintaining body armor, generally considered to provide a 5-year service life, are presented. Photographs, tables, and 16 references are included.