A novel image processing technique for the extraction of parameters characteristic of shape and angularity is proposed. The image data are not analyzed directly; information is extracted from the parametric transformation of the binarized edge map. A novel definition of angularity is given together with the capability of automatically selecting only those protrusions coincident with the convex hull of the shape and hence those most likely to contribute to the process of abrasion. The parameters obtained are arranged into a taxonomy according to their usefulness in abstracting generalizations about the shape of the particles under inspection. The technique has the potential to deliver a comprehensive numerical description of the shape and angularity of the particles under investigation without the need for interaction by the operator The advantages and potential pitfalls of using the technique are illustrated and discussed using real image data. While the technique is applied to 2-D image data, the extension to 3-D is straightforward.