Determination of the Size of a Foreign Body in the Eye Using Image Analysis of Its Roentgenogram

• NCJ Number: 183308
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 1 Dated: January 1999 Pages: 214-219
• Author(s): Alexander Pilin Ph.D.; Frantisek Pudil Ph.D.; Josef Horejs M.D.; J. Brany Bc.
• Date Published: January 1999
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The use of a computer-enhanced image analysis of x-ray pictures of a shotgun pellet in the eye helped determine the exact size of the pellet and thus which of two hunters was responsible for the accidental injury.

Abstract

The injury occurred during a pheasant hunt in the Czech Republic. Two hunters were shooting simultaneously using 3 different sizes of pellets: 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 mm. One pellet hit the third man in the eye. He sustained serious injury and lost sight in the eye despite immediate medical treatment. The pellet could not be removed from the orbit. The direct video image and roentgenogram produced different values of morphometric parameters. The use of the image processor LUCIA G solved the problem of determining the pellet’s size. Tables, figures, and 7 references (Author abstract modified)