From the U.S. Government Accountability Office, www.gao.gov Title: Description of Types of Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor Description: This video describes the different types of ballistic- resistant body armor. Related GAO Work: GAO-12-353, Law Enforcement Body Armor: DOJ Could Enhance Grant Management Controls and Better Ensure Consistency in Grant Program Requirements Released: February 2012 [Silence] This video is part of a GAO report: Law Enforcement Body Armor: DOJ Could Enhance Grant Management Controls and Better Ensure Consistency in Grant Program Requirements (GAO-12-353) Description of Types of Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor Video provided by: The National Institute of Justice [Background Music ] >> There are three classes of flexible body armor designed to protect against handgun threats, and two classes of armor for tactical operations facing rifle threats. >> Type II-A armor protects against lower velocity, 9 millimeter, full metal jacketed handgun rounds and Smith & Wesson 40 caliber full metal jacketed handgun rounds. It is concealable and suitable for full time use. Type II armor protects against higher velocity, 9 millimeter, full metal jacketed handgun rounds and 357 Magnum jacketed soft point handgun rounds. While heavier and more bulky than type II-A, it is also concealable and is designed for full time use. Type III-A armor protects against 357 SIG full metal jacketed handgun rounds and 44 magnum jacketed hollow points. It represents the highest level of protection currently available from concealable armor and provides protection against most handgun threats. While generally suitable for routine wear, departments located in hot, humid climates may need to evaluate the use of type III-A armor carefully. Type III armor protects against 7.62 millimeter full metal jacketed rifle rounds and represents the first tier of tactical armor. As such, it is not intended for full time use and is designed strictly for tactical situations such as confrontations involving sporting rifles. Type IV armor protects against 30 caliber, armor piercing rifle rounds and provides the highest level of protection currently available. Because it is intended to resist armor piercing rounds, it often uses ceramic materials which are brittle and may provide only single shot protection. As with type III armor, type IV is intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants such protection. NIJ standard 0101.06 also defines a category of special threats. The NIJ compliance testing program does not include testing for these special threats. However, an agency requiring a level of protection other than one of the five standard levels may specify additional testing, referencing the exact test rounds and impact velocities to be used. Departments should select body armor equal to their ballistic protection requirements, ensuring that each officer understands the maximum protection of the body armor, as well as its limitation. [Silence] This video project was supported by Award No. 2005-IJ-CX-K003 awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Opinions, views, conclusions, or recommendations, as expressed by actors, interviewees, or through other depictions in this video, are those of the speakers/author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice. Nothing in this video is intended to constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States of any specific commercial entity, product, or service.