NCJ Number
227807
Journal
International Journal of Legal Medicine Volume: 122 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2008 Pages: 1-5
Date Published
January 2008
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the use of computed tomography (CT) as an improved means for a noninvasive, accurate numerical analysis of the permanent or temporary cavity caused by a projectile striking a living being.
Abstract
CT not only enables numerical analysis of the cavity using axial slices, as described by Korca et al., but also allows consideration of the entire wound tract and projectile dispersal in both two and three dimensions without the need to cut open the soap block. Since the blocks ultimately dry out and shrink, the CT data and images provide a rapid and permanent record of the projectile path. In turn, this can be used to illustrate the effect of different calibers of weapons in court, using modern information technology, such as scout views, 3-D, and fly-through tunneling. This could replace or be shown in conjunction with traditional casting of the cavity. These digital reconstructions could also be superimposed on standard anatomical 3-D bodies in order to provide a "virtual" demonstration of potential wounds from shots to different areas of the body. The study used four commercially purchased ballistic glycerin soap blocks. Each had a single firearm discharged into it from a distance of approximately 15 cm using both gunshot and shotgun projectiles. After discharge, each block was imaged by a modern 16-slice multidetector CT scanner and then analyzed using 3-D reconstruction software. 6 figures and 8 references