Date of Graduation

5-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Human Environmental Science (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

General Human Environmental Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Betsy Garrison

Committee Member

Michelle Gray

Second Committee Member

Stephanie Hubert

Keywords

3D body scan, 3D printing, body armor, gender, police

Abstract

The lack of availability of female plates for police officers is an issue that has not been analyzed. Female anthropometry is uniformly different from male anthropometry. Currently available hard plates are flat. These plates may decrease coverage while increasing feelings of poor fit, discomfort, and poor mobility for both male and female officers. The plates designed for males offer the possibility of female officers experiencing feelings of gender exclusion. This research project explored the current perceptions of male and female police officers in Arkansas across the dimensions of fit, comfort, and mobility in the context of hard plate body armor. Perceptions of gender exclusion were explored through a gender ostracism scale. A female police officer of the population was the subject of a case study which explored the influence of a prototype plate from a 3D body scan on perceptions of fit, comfort, mobility, coverage, and inclusion. Range of motion was evaluated through goniometer measurements and perceptions were evaluated through Likert-scale responses and open-ended response. The outcomes of the research project included a proposed methodology for the development and evaluation of 3D modelled prototype plates.

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