A preliminary evaluation of the Edinburgh dicentric hunter

Computer programs have recently been developed to enable automatic detection of dicentric chromosomes on microscope slides. Theoretical calculations based on the probable limits of resolution of such a system suggested that about two thirds of dicentrics might be detectable. We present here some preliminary results from an ongoing evaluation of an automatic dicentric hunter using slides of lymphocyte preparations which have also been examined by eye. The data indicate an efficiency approaching 40% in dicentric detection.