A model for estimating the number of glass fragments transferred when breaking a pane: experiments with firearms and...

Numerous publications have shown the importance of transfer in the interpretation of glass evidence. As this phenomenon is also highly variable, it was decided to test the hypothesis that there exists a means to predict the number of fragments recovered at time t = 0. Panes of float glass-of different types and thickness-were broken using either a firearm or a hammer. It was decided to choose a firearm as the main breaking device, as it allowed not only to have more reproducible conditions but also to acquire knowledge in a field where little has been published. Despite the inherent variation in the breaking process, the results show that using a statistical model it is possible to predict the number of fragments transferred onto a garment from the number of fragments transferred to the ground. This research also indicates the size and number of particles transferred onto a person, when breaking window panes of different types (float, laminated or toughened) with different breaking procedures.