Comparative Evaluation of Potentially Radiolucent Projectile Components by Radiographs and Computed Tomography |
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| Authors: | Catherine R Miller MD MA Michael Haag BS Chandra Gerrard BS Gary M Hatch MD Jamie Elifritz MD Michael C Simmons MD Sarah Lathrop DVM PhD Kurt B Nolte MD |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77550;2. Albuquerque Police Department Scientific Evidence Division, Forensic Science Center, 5350 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107;3. Radiology‐Pathology Center for Forensic Imaging, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, MSC09 5040, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131;4. Department of Radiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, MSC09 5040, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131;5. Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, MSC09 5040, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131;6. New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, MSC07 4040, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 |
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| Abstract: | Projectile components that are traditionally radiolucent can be of considerable importance in determination of weapon type and caliber, but they are often missed on evaluation of postmortem radiographs. We hypothesized that these components would be significantly better visualized by evaluation of computed tomography (CT) scans compared to the practice standard of radiography alone. In this project, potentially radiolucent projectile components were both pulled apart and fired, and the radiolucent components were recovered. These components were embedded in blocks of ballistics gelatin and were imaged using both radiography and CT. The scans were evaluated by three blinded, board‐certified radiologists for the presence/absence of projectile components and true‐negative regions in each block. If a radiologist indicated visualization of a projectile component, they were further requested to describe their observation. It was found that traditionally radiolucent projectile components are not significantly more often identified on CT scans than radiography (p < 0.05). |
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| Keywords: | forensic science forensic pathology wound ballistics gunshot wounds firearm projectiles radiology computed tomography X‐rays |
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