Applications of the reflex instruments in quantitative morphology

The Reflex instruments are a set of non-contact measuring instruments enabling direct measurement in three dimensions of relatively small objects, or of stereophotographs. In addition to the range of geometric calculations which the standard software provided with the instruments can perform directly on the output of three-dimensional coordinates, the data can also be used to generate contour plots, three-dimensional computer representations, etc. The instruments have been used to measure hard tissues such a s teeth, jaws and vertebrae, soft tissues such as gums, leg ulcers an Drosophila, and impressions such a s footprints and bitemarks. Among the advantages of the instruments, in different studies their use has improved precision, speeded up measurement, avoided the need to take X-rays and avoided possible damage to objects.