Baby Badgers
Anthropomorphic Infant Dummy (AID) for Investigating Head Trauma
Problem statement
Far too often, caregivers without a full understanding of the fragility of an infant attempt dangerous methods of calming, resulting in severe, permanent, life-altering brain injury. Abusive head trauma, commonly known as shaken baby syndrome, has been shown to result from rapid rotational acceleration and deceleration of an infant’s head, producing injuries such as subdural hematomas and diffuse axonal injury [1]. Although biomechanical research has quantified the levels of force and angular acceleration associated with traumatic brain injury, the findings remain largely confined to technical literature and expert testimony. Current approaches, such as verbal explanations, written reports, and static visuals, are not sufficient to communicate these dangers to caregivers and legal professionals. These methods rely on abstract numerical data and two-dimensional representations that fail to convey the physical reality of excessive inertial loading on an infant’s head. As a result, a critical gap persists between established scientific knowledge and meaningful public understanding. We therefore intend to provide the Dane County District Attorney’s Office and the broader community with an anthropomorphic infant dummy that translates validated biomechanical data into a hands-on, visual learning experience. By transforming complex acceleration research into a tangible demonstration, this solution will strengthen prevention efforts, support informed legal decision-making, and ultimately protect vulnerable infants from irreversible brain injury. [1] A. C. Duhaime, R. W. Gennarelli, L. E. Thibault, R. Bruce, M. Margulies, and T. Wiser, ‘The shaken baby syndrome: A clinical, pathological, and biomechanical study,’ Journal of Neurosurgery, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 409-415, 1987. [Online]. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3819836/
