While we often think of bulletproof vests as the primary form of safety equipment for law enforcement and adjacent fields like corrections, officers face a multitude of threats daily. The risk of harm from sharp weapons like knives, shanks, and other improvised devices has continued to rise steadily across North America, prompting increased attention to developing protective equipment that can keep wearers safe when (and where) it matters most.
Stab-resistant armour is a vital part of personal protection on the job for police and correctional officers; rigorous testing helps to ensure the effectiveness of issued protective units, as well as drive innovation forward for future development.
At Biokinetics, we recognize the importance of producing accurate and reliable penetration and impact trauma assessment data. Based in Ottawa, Canada, our team is proud to use our decades of industry-leading experience to efficiently evaluate personal body armour against NIJ 0115.00 and HOSDB test standards. Below, we’ll explore the importance of upholding and advancing current standards for stab resistance, as well as how Biokinetics helps ensure that protective gear meets the growing challenges of today’s increasingly dangerous environments. Read on to learn more.
The Rising Threat of Bladed and Sharp-Edged Weapons
Law enforcement personnel face stab threats both on the street and within correctional facilities, where inmates strive to obtain access to sharp implements like knives and screwdrivers and often fashion their own crude instruments to be used as weapons. Crowd control, detainment, and even routine day-to-day activities expose officers to the threat of being stabbed, necessitating proper protective measures to reduce the risk of harm, both from a ballistic and a stab-resistance perspective.
Addressing the threat of both unilaterally, however, is not without its share of challenges; unlike ballistic threats, stabbing involves a different kind of impact, typically inflicted upon a much smaller body area, which can make mitigating injuries complex.
Where armour may be able to address the threat of penetrative and blunt force injury by dispersing the kinetic energy delivered by ammunition or being struck by blunt objects, stab attacks present a very different kind of threat to the human body. Armour designed to withstand stab attacks must do more than deflect or absorb the force—it must be able to prevent the penetration of sharp objects that could cause fatal internal damage. Thorough testing of a variety of objects, penetration points, and the accurate replication of possible real-life scenarios is one of the most effective ways to ensure that this kind of armour performs when it matters most.
Current Industry Standards for Stab Resistance
Current stab resistance standards, outlined by regulatory bodies like the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), highlight specific conditions under which armour should be tested to ensure it performs as necessary. Armour is tested against several factors, with the predominant focus being on its ability to withstand puncture and slash attacks at varying levels of force, taking into account different weapon types, blade sharpness, and attack angles. Testing focuses on both the initial penetration ability of a weapon as well as the depth of its backface signature (the indent left on the armour’s interior surface). Examining both allows testers and manufacturers to to identify how much energy a unit can absorb, as well as any areas of weakness and the likelihood (and severity) of injury.
Stab tests, just like their ballistic and blunt force counterparts, play an integral role in keeping those wearing armour safe in dangerous situations, including scenarios that often result in life-or-death variables should lethal force be introduced. It is crucial to note that testing isn’t a matter of determining bare minimum compliance with industry standards; it is intended to ensure that stab vests are able to save lives, reduce blunt force and penetrative trauma inflicted upon victims, and allow officers to perform their duties as effectively as possible.
Biokinetics’ Approach to Stab Resistance Testing
At Biokinetics, we understand just how important the reliability of stab vests is in the field and, subsequently, how crucial it is to utilize advanced testing to garner the most accurate results possible. With state-of-the-art testing facilities and decades of experience, our team ensures that every piece of armour tested meets the highest standards of performance to save lives and reduce harm when it matters most. We offer modular testing and customizable assessments to evaluate various protection level requirements and provide the most accurate data possible.
For over 45 years, Biokinetics has partnered with industry leaders across North America to evaluate various aspects of ballistics testing, stab testing, blunt force trauma testing, and more. We are proud to drive innovation forward and focus on results that help keep vulnerable professionals safe on a daily basis.
Contact us today to learn more!
