A composite skull pin comprising: a core comprising a cone terminating in a distal point, the core being formed out of a substantially radiotranslucent material; and a jacket comprising a hollow cone terminating in a sharp distal point, the hollow cone of the jacket being sized and shaped so that it overlies, and closely conforms to, the exterior of the cone of the core, the jacket being formed out of a strong, hard material, and further wherein the jacket has a sufficiently small mass such that the composite skull pin has a low X-ray signature.