Forensic investigation has the primary challenge of assessing cause from limited evidence. The use of computational modelling can play a role in assessing potential ballistic pathways by analysing entry wound and blood spatter patterns, influence of material effects and cranial geometry to inform the investigation process. The ejection of blood and tissue following projectile impact is called ‘backspatter’ and can help inform the proximity of the shooter and potentially differentiate between suicide and homicide, however, the ‘backspatter’ phenomenon is not well understood. This study presents (i) the development of an anatomically-based model of cranial ballistic injury using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method; (ii) simulation of the tail splashing and temporary cavitation mechanisms by utilizing a range of scalp and bone simulants and comparison with experiment; (iii) evaluation of cranial stress and strain and energy dissipation; and (iv) evaluation of the effects of bullet characteristics on the creation of the entry wound by parametric analysis. This work provides a basis for more complicated, anatomically accurate geometric cranium model development for reliable and robust simulation of cranial ballistic impact.