Idris Diallo1, Mathieu Auffret2, Lakdar Attar3, Elise Bouvard4, Jean Rousset5, Douraied Ben Salem1. 1. Forensic Imaging Unit, University Hospital of Brest, Boulevard Tanguy Prigent, 29609 Brest Cedex, France. 2. Brittany Atlantic Hospital of Vannes, 20 Boulevard du Général Maurice, Guillaudot, 56017 Vannes, France. 3. French National Forensic Science Institute, 8 Avenue, Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France. 4. Military Academy of Châteaulin, Caserne la tour d'Auvergne, Ty-Vougeret, 29150 Dineault, France. 5. Teaching Military Hospital Clermont-Tonerre, Rue colonel Fonferrier, 29200 Brest, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: There are significant numbers of military and law enforcement bullets containing ferromagnetic materials. This study aimed to assess the magnetic field interactions for a representative sample of military and law enforcement ballistic objects at 1.5 and 3 tesla (T) to create a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility database. METHODS: Twenty-nine different bullets underwent MRI evaluation. The deflection angle method and a qualitative torque scale were used. The samples were representative of those commonly used in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military forces (e.g., 5.56 mm NATO), law enforcement agencies (e.g., 9 mm Parabellum), and encountered in war injuries and crime-related trauma (e.g., 7.62 mm Kalashnikov). RESULTS: At all static magnetic field strengths, all non-nickel- and nonsteel-containing bullets exhibited no movement (deflection angle = 0°; torque = 0), whereas eight bullets containing steel core, steel jacket, or nickel jacket exhibited substantial magnetic field interactions over and above what might be regarded as safe in vivo (deflection angle = 90°; torque = 4+). CONCLUSION: Military and law enforcement non-nickel- or nonsteel-containing bullets appear to be safe for patients in MRI system at 1.5 and 3 T. On the other hand, nickel- and steel-containing bullets exhibit movements that are considered potentially unsafe for patients in an MRI environment. Reprint &
OBJECTIVES: There are significant numbers of military and law enforcement bullets containing ferromagnetic materials. This study aimed to assess the magnetic field interactions for a representative sample of military and law enforcement ballistic objects at 1.5 and 3 tesla (T) to create a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility database. METHODS: Twenty-nine different bullets underwent MRI evaluation. The deflection angle method and a qualitative torque scale were used. The samples were representative of those commonly used in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military forces (e.g., 5.56 mm NATO), law enforcement agencies (e.g., 9 mm Parabellum), and encountered in war injuries and crime-related trauma (e.g., 7.62 mm Kalashnikov). RESULTS: At all static magnetic field strengths, all non-nickel- and nonsteel-containing bullets exhibited no movement (deflection angle = 0°; torque = 0), whereas eight bullets containing steel core, steel jacket, or nickel jacket exhibited substantial magnetic field interactions over and above what might be regarded as safe in vivo (deflection angle = 90°; torque = 4+). CONCLUSION: Military and law enforcement non-nickel- or nonsteel-containing bullets appear to be safe for patients in MRI system at 1.5 and 3 T. On the other hand, nickel- and steel-containing bullets exhibit movements that are considered potentially unsafe for patients in an MRI environment. Reprint &
Authors: Stephan A Bolliger; Michael J Thali; Dominic Gascho; Sebastian A Poschmann; Sebastian Eggert Journal: Int J Legal Med Date: 2017-03-16 Impact factor: 2.686