Facial Laceration Measurements

Measuring facial lacerations during simulated car crashes has remained a problem when testing crashworthiness safety performance. A method is presented based on the use of two chamois skins which cover dummy headforms, acting as a surrogate for human skin.

Measurements of facial laceration obtained using the double chamois technique during car crash testing are placed into one of two categories using a Chamois Laceration Scale (CLS): pass or fail. Pass represents a “go” condition denoting an acceptable tolerance level while fail represents a “no-go” condition. The criterion for pass, i.e., a passing or acceptable tolerance level, permits slight abrasions and very minor lacerations, but does not permit any cuts in the inner of the two layers of chamois skin.

Data are presented to substantiate the objectivity of this measurement procedure.