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van Rijn RR, Leth PM. Targeted coronary post-mortem CT angiography, straight to the heart. Lancet 2017; 390:100-101. [PMID: 28551070 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(17)31260-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rick R van Rijn
- Department of Radiology, Emma Children's Hospital-Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Peter M Leth
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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102
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Ahmad MU, Sharif KA, Qayyum H, Ehsanullah B, Balyasnikova S, Wale A, Shanmuganandan A, Siddiqui MRS, Athanasiou T, Kemp GJ. Assessing the use of magnetic resonance imaging virtopsy as an alternative to autopsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Postgrad Med J 2017; 93:671-678. [DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2017-134945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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103
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Villa C, Olsen KB, Hansen SH. Virtual animation of victim-specific 3D models obtained from CT scans for forensic reconstructions: Living and dead subjects. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 278:e27-e33. [PMID: 28716518 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Post-mortem CT scanning (PMCT) has been introduced at several forensic medical institutions many years ago and has proved to be a useful tool. 3D models of bones, skin, internal organs and bullet paths can rapidly be generated using post-processing software. These 3D models reflect the individual physiognomics and can be used to create whole-body 3D virtual animations. In such way, virtual reconstructions of the probable ante-mortem postures of victims can be constructed and contribute to understand the sequence of events. This procedure is demonstrated in two victims of gunshot injuries. Case #1 was a man showing three perforating gunshot wounds, who died due to the injuries of the incident. Whole-body PMCT was performed and 3D reconstructions of bones, relevant internal organs and bullet paths were generated. Using 3ds Max software and a human anatomy 3D model, a virtual animated body was built and probable ante-mortem postures visualized. Case #2 was a man presenting three perforating gunshot wounds, who survived the incident: one in the left arm and two in the thorax. Only CT scans of the thorax, abdomen and the injured arm were provided by the hospital. Therefore, a whole-body 3D model reflecting the anatomical proportions of the patient was made combining the actual bones of the victim with those obtained from the human anatomy 3D model. The resulted 3D model was used for the animation process. Several probable postures were also visualized in this case. It has be shown that in Case #1 the lesions and the bullet path were not consistent with an upright standing position; instead, the victim was slightly bent forward, i.e. he was sitting or running when he was shot. In Case #2, one of the bullets could have passed through the arm and continued into the thorax. In conclusion, specialized 3D modelling and animation techniques allow for the reconstruction of ante-mortem postures based on both PMCT and clinical CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Villa
- Section of Forensic Pathology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - K B Olsen
- Section of Forensic Pathology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S H Hansen
- Section of Forensic Pathology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's Vej 11, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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104
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Chen Y. State of the art in post-mortem forensic imaging in China. Forensic Sci Res 2017; 2:75-84. [PMID: 30483623 PMCID: PMC6197115 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2017.1337501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The autopsy and histopathologic examination are traditional and classic approaches in forensic pathology. In recent years, with the tremendous progresses of computer technology and medical imaging technology, the developed post-mortem computer tomography, post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging and other new methods provide non-invasive, intuitive, high-precision examining methods and research tools for the forensic pathology. As a result, the reconstruction of the injury as well as the analysis of injury mechanism has been essentially achieved. Such methods have become popular in the research field of forensic science and related work has also been carried out in China. This paper reviews the development and application of abovementioned post-mortem forensic imaging methods in China based on the relevant literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijiu Chen
- Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, PRC, Shanghai, China
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105
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Temperature-corrected post-mortem 1.5 T MRI quantification of non-pathologic upper abdominal organs. Int J Legal Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1622-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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106
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Fahrni S, Campana L, Dominguez A, Uldin T, Dedouit F, Delémont O, Grabherr S. CT-scan vs. 3D surface scanning of a skull: first considerations regarding reproducibility issues. Forensic Sci Res 2017; 2:93-99. [PMID: 30483625 PMCID: PMC6197135 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2017.1334353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional surface scanning (3DSS) and multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) are two techniques that are used in legal medicine for digitalizing objects, a body or body parts such as bones. While these techniques are more and more commonly employed, surprisingly little information is known about the quality rendering of digitalized three-dimensional (3D) models provided by each of them. This paper presents findings related to the measurement precision of 3D models obtained through observation of a study case, where a fractured skull reconstructed by an anthropologist was digitalized using both post-mortem imaging methods. Computed tomography (CT) scans were performed using an 8-row MDCT unit with two different slice thicknesses. The variability of 3D CT models superimposition allowed to assess the reproducibility and robustness of this digitalization technique. Furthermore, two 3D surface scans were done using a professional high resolution 3D digitizer. The comparison of 3D CT-scans with 3D surface scans by superimposition demonstrated several regions with significant differences in topology (average difference between +1.45 and -1.22 mm). When comparing the reproducibility between these two digitalizing techniques, it appeared that MDCT 3D models led in general to greater variability for measurement precision between scanned surfaces. Also, the reproducibility was better achieved with the 3D surface digitizer, showing 3D models with fewer and less pronounced differences (from +0.32 to -0.31 mm). These experiments suggest that MDCT provides less reproducible body models than 3D surface scanning. But further studies must be undertaken in order to corroborate this first impression, and possibly explain the reason for these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Fahrni
- School of Criminal Justice, University of Lausanne, Lausanne-Dorigny, Switzerland.,Department of Forensic Imaging, University Centre for Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lorenzo Campana
- Department of Forensic Imaging, University Centre for Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alejandro Dominguez
- Department of Technological Radiology, Health School of Sciences Vaud - HESAV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tanya Uldin
- Department of Forensic Imaging, University Centre for Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Fabrice Dedouit
- Department of Forensic Imaging, University Centre for Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Delémont
- School of Criminal Justice, University of Lausanne, Lausanne-Dorigny, Switzerland
| | - Silke Grabherr
- Department of Forensic Imaging, University Centre for Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva, Lausanne, Switzerland
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107
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Matoba K, Hyodoh H, Murakami M, Matoba T, Saito A, Feng F, Jin S. Freezing preparation for macroscopic forensic investigation in putrefied brain. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2017; 26:6-10. [PMID: 28549549 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the usefulness of the applied freezing technique in putrefied brain for macroscopic investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS From October 2015 to September 2016, first the brains of 10 cadavers (control group: male 6, female 4, age 20-80 (mean 61.5), postmortem intervals (PMI) 14-75 (mean 29.7)days) were inspected following the standard practice (without freezing preparation), and then with 10 cadavers (freezing group: male 7, female 3, age 41-88 (mean 60.4), PMI 7-75 (mean 29.2)days) the freezing technique was used before the autopsy. The cut brain was investigated, and the gray-white matter difference was evaluated macroscopically. RESULTS In the control group, the brain parenchyma leaked out like sludge in 5, and there was difficulty maintaining its structure in 7. The gray-white matter difference was well visible in 3, but hard to distinguish in 3, and the total scores ranged from 0 to 9 (mean 4.4) points. In the freezing group, the entire putrefied brain was extracted as a solid organ, the gray-white matter differences were well visible, and the total scores were 6.7-9 (8.3) points. The gray-white matter difference was preserved in the freezing group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The freezing procedures to evaluate the putrefied brain have been successfully applied, and it could be statistically more useful in putrefied brain investigation than the ordinary procedure. Postmortem CT can be useful to evaluate not only the degree of brain putrefaction, but also the degree of brain parenchyma freezing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Matoba
- Dep. Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan; Center for Cause of Death Investigation, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Hideki Hyodoh
- Center for Cause of Death Investigation, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | - Manabu Murakami
- International Relations Office, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Tomoko Matoba
- Dep. Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Atsuko Saito
- Dep. Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Fei Feng
- Dep. Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Shigeki Jin
- Faculty of Health Science, Core Research Lab., Hokkaido University, Japan
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108
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Okumura M, Usumoto Y, Tsuji A, Kudo K, Ikeda N. Analysis of postmortem changes in internal organs and gases using computed tomography data. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2017; 25:11-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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109
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110
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Experimental evaluation of freezing preparation for the macroscopic inspection in putrefied brain. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2017; 24:19-23. [PMID: 28081786 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the usefulness of freezing preparation for macroscopic investigation in advanced putrefied brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS After sealing in individual plastic bags, 10 pig heads were stored at 20°C for 5days allow postmortem change (putrefaction) to progress. After an observation period, they were divided into 2 groups to evaluate the usefulness of the freezing effect in macroscopic investigation. The process over the postmortem period and the freezing process were examined. RESULTS At day-5, the presence of air density was detected between the inner surface of the cranium and the brain parenchyma. Intra-cranial air accumulation presented on CT in all heads. In the control group, the brain parenchyma leaked out from the hole in the meninges, and the gray-white matter difference was clear in 3/72 (4.2%), moderate in 7/72 (9.7%), ambiguous in 17/72 (23.6%), and poor in 45/72 (62.5%). In the freezing group, the brain parenchyma presented homogeneous low density after more than 14h freezing. On opening the cranium, the entire brains were frozen, and the gray-white matter difference was clear in 33/72 (46.0%), moderate in 17/72 (24.0%), ambiguous in 15/72 (21.0%), and poor in 7/72 (10.0%). The freezing group afforded greater clarity in the gray-white matter inspection (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Freezing preparation was useful for the macroscopic investigation of putrefied brain compared with the ordinary autopsy.
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ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY OF IMAGE ANALYSIS AS A MEANS OF INCREASING THE OBJECTIVITY AND RELIABILITY OF FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.19048/2411-8729-2017-3-2-17-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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112
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Okuma H, Gonoi W, Ishida M, Shirota G, Kanno S, Shintani Y, Abe H, Fukayama M, Ohtomo K. Comparison of the cardiothoracic ratio between postmortem and antemortem computed tomography. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2016; 24:86-91. [PMID: 28081797 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2016] [Revised: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
As postmortem imaging has gained prominence as a supplement to traditional autopsy, it is important to understand the normal postmortem changes to enable the accurate evaluation of postmortem imaging. No studies have evaluated the postmortem changes in cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) compared with antemortem images in the same subjects. We studied 147 consecutive subjects who underwent antemortem and postmortem CT, and autopsy. Postmortem CT was performed <23h after death and was followed by autopsy. The subjects were divided into three groups: normal heart, old myocardial infarction, and CPR-treated hearts. CTR was compared between antemortem and postmortem CT using paired t tests, which revealed that the CTR was greater on postmortem CT than on antemortem CT in all groups (mean CTR: 0.53±0.06vs. 0.50±0.06, respectively; P<0.01). Sex, age, time elapsed since death, and the causes of death were examined as potential confounding factors for the postmortem changes in CTR, but no significant associations were found. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine CTR values for cardiomegaly, which was defined according to the autopsy weight of the heart. The area under the ROC curve was 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.63-0.79). The CTR threshold of 0.54 identified cardiomegaly with the greatest accuracy, compared with the general threshold of 0.50. In conclusion, the CT-determined CTR increases after death, irrespective of the heart's condition. We should be cautious of overdiagnosis of cardiomegaly on postmortem CT, and new criteria for interpreting cardiomegaly on postmortem CTR are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidemi Okuma
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Wataru Gonoi
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
| | - Masanori Ishida
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; Department of Radiology, Mutual Aid Association for Tokyo Metropolitan Teachers and Officials, Sanraku Hospital, 2-5 Kandasurugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8326, Japan
| | - Go Shirota
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Shigeaki Kanno
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Yukako Shintani
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Masashi Fukayama
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kuni Ohtomo
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
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113
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Angelakopoulos N, Franco A, Willems G, Fieuws S, Thevissen P. Clinically Detectable Dental Identifiers Observed in Intra-oral Photographs and Extra-oral Radiographs, Validated for Human Identification Purposes. J Forensic Sci 2016; 62:900-906. [DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Angelakopoulos
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Forensic Dentistry; KU Leuven & Dentistry; University Hospitals Leuven; Kapucijnenvoer 7, Blok B 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Ademir Franco
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Forensic Dentistry; KU Leuven & Dentistry; University Hospitals Leuven; Kapucijnenvoer 7, Blok B 3000 Leuven Belgium
- Stomatology, Department of Dentistry; School of Life Sciences; Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná; Imaculada Conceição 1155 Prado Velho Curitiba Brazil
| | - Guy Willems
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Forensic Dentistry; KU Leuven & Dentistry; University Hospitals Leuven; Kapucijnenvoer 7, Blok B 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Steffen Fieuws
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics; KU Leuven - University of Leuven & Universiteit Hasselt; Leuven B-3000 Belgium
| | - Patrick Thevissen
- Department of Oral Health Sciences, Forensic Dentistry; KU Leuven & Dentistry; University Hospitals Leuven; Kapucijnenvoer 7, Blok B 3000 Leuven Belgium
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Forensic 3D Visualization of CT Data Using Cinematic Volume Rendering: A Preliminary Study. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2016; 208:233-240. [PMID: 27824494 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.16.16499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The 3D volume-rendering technique (VRT) is commonly used in forensic radiology. Its main function is to explain medical findings to state attorneys, judges, or police representatives. New visualization algorithms permit the generation of almost photorealistic volume renderings of CT datasets. The objective of this study is to present and compare a variety of radiologic findings to illustrate the differences between and the advantages and limitations of the current VRT and the physically based cinematic rendering technique (CRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy volunteers were shown VRT and CRT reconstructions of 10 different cases. They were asked to mark the findings on the images and rate them in terms of realism and understandability. RESULTS A total of 48 of the 70 questionnaires were returned and included in the analysis. On the basis of most of the findings presented, CRT appears to be equal or superior to VRT with respect to the realism and understandability of the visualized findings. Overall, in terms of realism, the difference between the techniques was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Most participants perceived the CRT findings to be more understandable than the VRT findings, but that difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION CRT, which is similar to conventional VRT, is not primarily intended for diagnostic radiologic image analysis, and therefore it should be used primarily as a tool to deliver visual information in the form of radiologic image reports. Using CRT for forensic visualization might have advantages over using VRT if conveying a high degree of visual realism is of importance. Most of the shortcomings of CRT have to do with the software being an early prototype.
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115
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Kuninaka H, Takahashi Y, Sano R, Takahashi K, Kubo R, Kominato Y, Takei H, Kobayashi S, Shimada T, Tokue H, Awata S, Hirasawa S. Use of postmortem computed tomography angiography to detect vascular injuries accompanying skull base fracture. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2016; 23:55-58. [PMID: 27890105 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A 58-year-old woman who had presented for upper gastrointestinal barium examination accidently slipped from the movable bed, and her head became compressed between the end of the bed and the side wall. She suffered massive bleeding from her nose and ear followed by cardiac arrest, and subsequent attempts at cardiopulmonary resuscitation failed. A medicolegal autopsy was performed to reveal the cause of death, as part of the investigation of the accident. During the autopsy, postmortem cerebral CT angiography was carried out by injection of 5% gelatin-barium emulsion as a radiopaque contrast medium into the bilateral common carotid arteries, demonstrating transudation of the contrast medium into the right acoustic meatus and the sphenoidal sinus cavity. Considering that the body appeared anemic and that PMCTA suggested vascular injuries, the cause of death was definitively determined to be hemorrhagic shock due to injuries to the right internal carotid artery, accompanied by skull base fracture. Postmortem CT angiography played an important role in confirming that the vascular injuries had been responsible for the bleeding, as the lesions could not be fully confirmed by native CT or macroscopic examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikaru Kuninaka
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Takahashi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan.
| | - Rie Sano
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Keiko Takahashi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Rieko Kubo
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Kominato
- Department of Legal Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takei
- Department of Radiology, Gunma University Hospital, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Susumu Kobayashi
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Takehiro Shimada
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Tokue
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Sachiko Awata
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hirasawa
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi 371-8511, Japan
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116
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Villa C, Buckberry J, Lynnerup N. Evaluating osteological ageing from digital data. J Anat 2016; 235:386-395. [PMID: 27620700 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Age at death estimation of human skeletal remains is one of the key issues in constructing a biological profile both in forensic and archaeological contexts. The traditional adult osteological methods evaluate macroscopically the morphological changes that occur with increasing age of specific skeletal indicators, such as the cranial sutures, the pubic bone, the auricular surface of the ilium and the sternal end of the ribs. Technologies such as computed tomography and laser scanning are becoming more widely used in anthropology, and several new methods have been developed. This review focuses on how the osteological age-related changes have been evaluated in digital data. First, the 3D virtual copies of the bones have been used to mimic the appearance of the dry bones and the application of the traditional methods. Secondly, the information directly extrapolated from CT scans has been used to assess qualitatively or quantitatively the changes of the trabecular bones, the thickness of the cortical bones, and to perform morphometric analyses. Lastly, the most innovative approach has been the mathematical quantification of the changes of the pelvic joints, calculating the complexity of the surface. The importance of new updated reference datasets, created thanks to the use of CT scanning in forensic settings, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Villa
- Laboratory of Biological Anthropology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jo Buckberry
- Biological Anthropology Research Centre, Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Niels Lynnerup
- Laboratory of Biological Anthropology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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117
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Morikawa K, Hyodoh H, Matoba K, Mizuo K, Okazaki S, Watanabe S. Time-related change evaluation of the cerebrospinal fluid using postmortem CT. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2016; 22:30-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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118
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Glemser PA, Pfleiderer M, Heger A, Tremper J, Krauskopf A, Schlemmer HP, Yen K, Simons D. New bone post-processing tools in forensic imaging: a multi-reader feasibility study to evaluate detection time and diagnostic accuracy in rib fracture assessment. Int J Legal Med 2016; 131:489-496. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-016-1412-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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119
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Fetisov VA, Kuprina TA, Sinitsyn VE, Dubrova SE, Filimonov BA. [The foreign experience with the application of the modern radiodiagnostic methods for the estimation of prescription of death coming and time of infliction of injury]. Sud Med Ekspert 2016; 59:47-54. [PMID: 27358930 DOI: 10.17116/sudmed201659247-54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
We undertook the analysis of the foreign publications concerning the application of the modern radiodiagnostic methods (including MSCT- and MRI-visualization) with reference to the solution of the traditional problems facing forensic medical expertise, such as the estimation of prescription of death coming and time of infliction of injury in the dead bodies. Both advantages and disadvantages of postmortem visualization of the corpses of adult subjects are discussed taking into consideration the period of time that elapsed between the death and the onset of the study as well as the character of the injuries. It was shown that the examination of the corpses using the up-to-date methods of radiodiagnostics prior to autopsy makes it possible for morphologists, jointly with radiologists, to identify, to see in the new light, and to evaluate the number of charges in the dead body, such as the alteration of the blood cell sedimentation rate, the formation of postmortem hypostases in the internal organs, the hardening of the walls of aorta and major blood vessels, right heart dilatation, gradual smoothing of the borderline between grey and white matter of the brain. Virtual autopsy can be useful , even for the study of such long-term processes in the corpses as putrefaction, saponification, mummification, and peat tanning. Moreover, this technique may be instrumental in the elucidation of the specific features of topographic-anatomical relationships between individual 'tissues and organs, detection of the concealed lesions, and a variety of pathological changes. Postmortem visualization allows for the quantitative evaluation of the severity of these transformations and the preliminary estimation of prescription of death coming. Also, radiodiagnostic methods can be employed to reliably visualize and measure various hemorrhagic events (from the density of such ones as liquid and clotted blood) in the tissues surrounding the fractures, in body cavities, and internal organs as well as to establish the facts of inter-vital aspiration of blood, alimentary masses, liquid and solid foreign bodies penetrating into the upper sections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts as the consequence f an injury. It is concluded that the postmortem visualization techniques employed to estimate prescription of death coming and time of infliction of injury as well as other complicated problems facing forensic medical expertize need the further scientifically based development.
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Affiliation(s)
- V A Fetisov
- Federal state budgetary institution 'Russian Centre of Forensic Medical Expertise', Russian Ministry of Health, Moscow, Russia, 125284
| | - T A Kuprina
- Federal state budgetary institution 'Russian Centre of Forensic Medical Expertise', Russian Ministry of Health, Moscow, Russia, 125284
| | - V E Sinitsyn
- Therapeutic and Rehabilitative Centre of the Russian Ministry of Health, Moscow, Russia, 125367
| | - S E Dubrova
- M.F. Vladimirsky Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow, Russia, 129110
| | - B A Filimonov
- I.M. Sechenov Moscow First State Medical University, Moscow, Russia, 119991
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120
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Makino Y, Itoda N, Ikegaya H, Tanaka N, Kinoshita H, Motomura A, Uno T, Iwase H. Search and removal of radioactive seeds: another application of postmortem computed tomography prior to autopsy. Int J Legal Med 2016; 130:1329-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-016-1404-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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121
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Badr El Dine FM, Hassan HH. Ontogenetic study of the scapula among some Egyptians: Forensic implications in age and sex estimation using Multidetector Computed Tomography. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejfs.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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122
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Performance of post-mortem CT compared to autopsy in children. Int J Legal Med 2016; 130:1089-1099. [PMID: 27221535 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-016-1370-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Radiological techniques such as non-enhanced post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) play an increasingly important role in death investigations, especially in cases of non-medicolegal context of death, where the consent of the next of kin is required to perform autopsy. Such consent is often difficult to obtain for deceased children, and radiological methods may be an acceptable alternative. The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of PMCT explorations compared to medicolegal conventional autopsies in children and its potential usefulness in non-medicolegal situations. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed a group of 26 children aged 0-12 years who died of different causes, which were investigated by both conventional autopsy and PMCT. We compared the findings extracted from radiological and autopsy reports. All findings were grouped according to their importance with respect to cause of death and to the anatomical structure they covered: organs, vascular system, soft tissue, and skeletal system. RESULTS A significantly larger number of findings were detected by autopsy compared to PMCT. Autopsy proved to be superior to PMCT, notably at detecting organ, soft tissue, and vascular findings, while PMCT was superior at detecting bone findings. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the methods concerning the essential findings used to define the cause of death. CONCLUSIONS In children, PMCT was less sensitive than conventional autopsy for detecting general findings. However, most essential findings were detected by both methods. PMCT was superior to autopsy for the detection of bone lesions in children. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE Up to today, very rare literature exists concerning PMCT in children, especially in a forensic setting. This article investigates the advantages and limitations of PMCT compared to autopsy in a unique study group and discusses possibilities for future developments.
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123
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Brenčičová E, Baglivo M, Schwendener N, Schyma C, Jackowski C. The truth lies within: the reconstructive value of inner livores in a homicide case. Int J Legal Med 2016; 130:1599-1601. [PMID: 27169675 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-016-1386-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Through the widespread use of postmortem computed tomography, inner livores of the lungs have become a frequently observed phenomenon in the field of forensic medicine. Yet their time-dependent development, notably in comparison with the widely studied external livores, remains poorly understood. We present a unique homicide case where the victim was discovered in supine position with correspondent external livores fixed exclusively on the rear side. Yet upon postmortem computed tomography, the victim presented pronounced inner livores within the depending dorsal areas of both lungs but also vertical sedimentation levels solely within the right lung, suggesting an initial right-hand side position and a postmortem re-positioning of the body. Interestingly, this was consistent with tangible hints of postmortem manipulation on-site. It is likely that this repositioning occurred sometime during the early postmortem interval (<6 h) as the external livores have completely rearranged to the final supine position. The presented case suggests different development patterns of inner and outer livores, highlighting the necessity for controlled studies that explore the formation and fixation processes of livor mortis in internal organs. A better understanding of these issues can prove useful in forensic examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Brenčičová
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Manuela Baglivo
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Schwendener
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Schyma
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Jackowski
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
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124
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Schmitt-Sody M, Kurz S, Reiser M, Kanz KG, Kirchhoff C, Peschel O, Kirchhoff S. Analysis of death in major trauma: value of prompt post mortem computed tomography (pmCT) in comparison to office hour autopsy. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2016; 24:38. [PMID: 27025705 PMCID: PMC4812637 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-016-0231-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To analyze diagnostic accuracy of prompt post mortem Computed Tomography (pmCT) in determining causes of death in patients who died during trauma room management and to compare the results to gold standard autopsy during office hours. Methods Multiple injured patients who died during trauma room care were enrolled. PmCT was performed immediately followed by autopsy during office hours. PmCT and autopsy were analyzed primarily regarding pmCT ability to find causes of death and secondarily to define exact causes of death including accurate anatomic localizations. For the secondary analysis data was divided in group-I with equal results of pmCT and autopsy, group-II with autopsy providing superior results and group-III with pmCT providing superior information contributing to but not majorly causing death. Results Seventeen multiple trauma patients were enrolled. Since multiple trauma patients were enrolled more injuries than patients are provided. Eight patients sustained deadly head injuries (47.1 %), 11 chest (64.7 %), 4 skeletal system (23.5 %) injuries and one patient drowned (5.8 %). Primary analysis revealed in 16/17 patients (94.1 %) causes of death in accordance with autopsy. Secondary analysis revealed in 9/17 cases (group-I) good agreement of autopsy and pmCT. In seven cases autopsy provided superior results (group-II) whereas in 1 case pmCT found more information (group-III). Discussion The presented work studied the diagnostic value of pmCT in defining causes of death in comparison to standard autopsy. Primary analysis revealed that in 94.1% of cases pmCT was able to define causes of death even if only indirect signs were present. Secondary analysis showed that pmCT and autopsy showed equal results regarding causes of death in 52.9%. Conclusions PmCT is useful in traumatic death allowing for an immediate identification of causes of death and providing detailed information on bony lesions, brain injuries and gas formations. It is advisable to conduct pmCT especially in cases without consent to autopsy to gain information about possible causes of death and to rule out possible clinical errors.
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125
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Bolliger SA, Thali MJ. Imaging and virtual autopsy: looking back and forward. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:rstb.2014.0253. [PMID: 26101279 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to create a three-dimensional (3D) documentation of findings which can be reassessed if necessary by other experts, the research project 'Virtopsy®' was launched in the late 1990s. This project combined autopsy results with forensic imaging in the form of computed tomography, magnetic resonance tomography and 3D surface scanning. The success of this project eventually succeeded in convincing the courts in Switzerland to accept these novel methods as evidence. As opposition towards autopsies has grown over the last decades, Virtopsy also strives to find and elaborate additional methods which can answer the main forensic questions without autopsy. These methods comprise post-mortem angiography for illustration of the vascular bed and image-guided tissue and fluid sampling for histological, toxicological and microbiological examinations. Based on the promising results, post-mortem imaging, especially with 3D surface scanning, has meanwhile also been applied to living victims of assault, who have suffered patterned injuries due to bites, blows with objects, etc. In our opinion, forensic imaging is an objective method which offers the possibility for a reassessment of the findings by other experts, even after burial or cremation of the corpse, or healing of the injuries in living victims, thus leading to a greater security in court.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan A Bolliger
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Wintherthurerstrasse 190/52, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Michael J Thali
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Wintherthurerstrasse 190/52, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
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126
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Body height estimation from post-mortem CT femoral F1 measurements in a contemporary Swiss population. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2016; 19:61-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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127
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Use of postmortem coronary computed tomography angiography with water-insoluble contrast medium to detect stenosis of the left anterior descending artery in a case of sudden death. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2016; 19:47-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Revised: 01/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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128
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Hyodoh H, Shimizu J, Rokukawa M, Okazaki S, Mizuo K, Watanabe S. Postmortem computed tomography findings in the thorax – Experimental evaluation. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2016; 19:96-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2015.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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129
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Ford JM, Decker SJ. Computed tomography slice thickness and its effects on three-dimensional reconstruction of anatomical structures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jofri.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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130
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Effectiveness of Mortuaries in Turkey. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2016; 37:47-50. [DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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131
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Zerbini T, da Silva LFF, Lobato Baptista PA, Ikari ES, Rodrigues de Araujo M, de André CDS, da Motta Singer J, da Rocha FMM, Junior EA, Pasqualucci CAG, Saldiva PHN. Estimation of post mortem interval by tomographic images of intra-cardiac hypostasis. J Forensic Leg Med 2016; 38:111-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/01/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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132
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The importance of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) in confrontation with conventional forensic autopsy of victims of motorcycle accidents. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2016; 18:25-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2015] [Revised: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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133
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Sugimoto M, Hyodoh H, Rokukawa M, Kanazawa A, Murakami R, Shimizu J, Okazaki S, Mizuo K, Watanabe S. Freezing effect on brain density in postmortem CT. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2015; 18:62-5. [PMID: 26832379 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Two 60-year-old males were found at their homes whose bodies had deteriorated due to putrefaction. To prevent worm invasion and minimize deterioration, dry ice was used prior to the autopsy investigation. Prior to autopsy, postmortem CT demonstrated a decreased density in brain parenchyma at the dry-iced side, and autopsy revealed deteriorated brain parenchyma with frozen effect (presented like sherbet). Moreover, the deteriorated cerebral parenchyma maintained their structure and they were evaluated by cutting. When lower CT density presents in postmortem CT, the freezing effect may need to be considered and the physician should evaluate the cadaver's postmortem condition to prevent misdiagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyu Sugimoto
- Department of Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1 W17 Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Hideki Hyodoh
- Department of Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1 W17 Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan.
| | - Masumi Rokukawa
- Department of Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1 W17 Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Ayumi Kanazawa
- Department of Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1 W17 Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Rina Murakami
- Department of Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1 W17 Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Junya Shimizu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1 W17 Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Shunichiro Okazaki
- Department of Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1 W17 Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Keisuke Mizuo
- Department of Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1 W17 Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Satoshi Watanabe
- Department of Legal Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, S1 W17 Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
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134
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Hyodoh H, Ogura K, Sugimoto M, Suzuki Y, Kanazawa A, Murakami R, Shimizu J, Rokukawa M, Okazaki S, Mizuo K, Watanabe S. Frozen (iced) effect on postmortem CT – Experimental evaluation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jofri.2015.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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135
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Fluid-Fluid Level and Pericardial Hyperdense Ring Appearance Findings on Unenhanced Postmortem CT Can Differentiate Between Postmortem and Antemortem Pericardial Hemorrhage. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2015; 205:W568-77. [DOI: 10.2214/ajr.15.14808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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136
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Ali Z, Daly B, Fowler DR. The First Use of Postmortem 3D Computed Tomography Images as Evidence in U.S. Criminal Courts: A Report of Four Cases. Acad Forensic Pathol 2015. [DOI: 10.23907/2015.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging technique that has assumed an increasingly important role in clinical medicine since its invention in 1972 and has been admissible as evidence in court for many years. A recently introduced scientific application of CT, enabled by major advances in high-resolution imaging, postmortem CT (PMCT) allows unprecedented three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the whole body after death. As a novel scientific tool, PMCT may be subject to scrutiny for admissibility in court under Federal Rule of Evidence 702 and the Daubert standard. We present four cases of criminal prosecution for vehicular manslaughter where PMCT, including images generated with 3D reconstruction techniques, was admitted as evidence to demonstrate victim injuries to the jury in 2012. The use of PMCT for demonstrative proposes in court enabled the triers of fact to better understand and visualize injuries allegedly caused by the accused. Not only is PMCT a useful forensic tool, but it may also provide powerful and easily comprehensible visual evidence before a judge or jury. These cases may be used as precedent for future testimony in U.S. courts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zabiullah Ali
- Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner - Forensic Pathology
| | | | - David R. Fowler
- Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner - Forensic Pathology
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137
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Daly B, Andrews S, O'Donnell C. The Current and Potential Future Role of Postmortem Computed Tomography in Medicolegal Death Investigation. Acad Forensic Pathol 2015. [DOI: 10.23907/2015.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The development of whole body, high resolution postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) with three-dimensional depiction has led some authors to describe the concept of “virtual autopsy” as a noninvasive replacement to conventional autopsy. A realistic appraisal of the capabilities of PMCT suggests its true role is more complex – in some settings such as accidental blunt trauma it has the potential to circumvent conventional autopsy and in others such as severe burns or drowning, PMCT can act as a triage tool to determine if autopsy is required. In many other cases, PMCT has a role of adjunct to conventional autopsy. Despite its myriad potential applications, PMCT remains underutilized in many countries. This paper addresses the background of PMCT, and describes its strengths, weaknesses, and indications. It discusses the economic and logistical challenges to its introduction, and emphasizes the clinical cooperation between diagnostic radiologists and forensic pathologists, and the training initiatives that are necessary for its success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Daly
- University of Maryland - Department of Radiology
| | | | - Chris O'Donnell
- Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine; Monash University - Department of Forensic Medicine
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138
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Ampanozi G, Hatch GM, Flach PM, Thali MJ, Ruder TD. Postmortem magnetic resonance imaging: Reproducing typical autopsy heart measurements. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2015; 17:493-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2015.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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139
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3D documentation and visualization of external injury findings by integration of simple photography in CT/MRI data sets (IprojeCT). Int J Legal Med 2015; 130:787-97. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-015-1274-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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140
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Zhang K, Luo YZ, Fan F, Zheng JQ, Yang M, Li T, Pang T, Zhang J, Deng ZH. Stature estimation from sternum length using computed tomography–volume rendering technique images of western Chinese. J Forensic Leg Med 2015; 35:40-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Revised: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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141
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Filograna L, Tartaglione T, Vetrugno G, Guerra C, Fileni A, Bonomo L. Freshwater drowning in a child: A case study demonstrating the role of post-mortem computed tomography. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2015; 55:304-311. [PMID: 25628338 DOI: 10.1177/0025802414568045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, modern imaging techniques have gained ground in forensics. A crucial question is whether virtual autopsy is capable of replacing traditional autopsy. Forensic diagnosis of freshwater drowning (FWD) is based on the evidence of findings from external inspection (e.g. frothy fluid exuding from the mouth and nostrils), internal examination (e.g. pulmonary congestion, enlargement of heart chambers) and biochemical analysis (haemodilution), findings which are non-specific. The detection of diatoms in organs of the systemic circulation may be of some assistance, but this analysis is rarely performed and is of debatable validity. An 18-month-old child was found dead at home in a swimming pool. Considering the family's wishes to avoid autopsy, the district attorney authorised a whole-body post-mortem computed tomography scan (PMCT). The main imaging findings were frothy fluid in the upper airways, fluid in the trachea and main bronchi, many pulmonary nodular ground glass opacities (GGO) in non-dependent regions and haemodilution. CT imaging did not show any other forensically relevant abnormality.A high concordance was found between the CT findings reported in the literature in cases of FWD and the imaging results. Thus, after the exclusion of other causes of death, advised by the forensic pathologist, the district attorney closed the case and the death was attributed to FWD. This case report demonstrates that PMCT imaging in cases of suspected FWD can provide some important findings for the diagnosis of FWD as the cause of death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Filograna
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Radiological Sciences, Catholic University of Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Tartaglione
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Radiological Sciences, Catholic University of Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Lorenzo Bonomo
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Radiological Sciences, Catholic University of Rome, Italy
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142
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Zech WD, Jackowski C, Schwendener N, Brencicova E, Schuster F, Lombardo P. Postmortem CT versus forensic autopsy: frequent discrepancies of tracheobronchial content findings. Int J Legal Med 2015; 130:191-8. [PMID: 26400026 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-015-1264-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In their daily forensic casework, the authors experienced discrepancies of tracheobronchial content findings between postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) and autopsy to an extent previously unnoticed in the literature. The goal of this study was to evaluate such discrepancies in routine forensic cases. A total of 327 cases that underwent PMCT prior to routine forensic autopsy were retrospectively evaluated for tracheal and bronchial contents according to PMCT and autopsy findings. Hounsfield unit (HU) values of tracheobronchial contents, causes of death, and presence of pulmonary edema were assessed in mismatching and matching cases. Comparing contents in PMCT and autopsy in each of the separately evaluated compartments of the respiratory tract low positive predictive values were assessed (trachea, 38.2%; main bronchi, 40%; peripheral bronchi, 69.1%) indicating high discrepancy rates. The majority of tracheobronchial contents were viscous stomach contents in matching cases and low radiodensity materials (i.e., HU < 30) in mismatching cases. The majority of causes of death were cardiac related in the matching cases and skull/brain trauma in the mismatching cases. In mismatching cases, frequency of pulmonary edema was significantly higher than in matching cases. It can be concluded that discrepancies in tracheobronchial contents observed between PMCT and routine forensic autopsy occur in a considerable number of cases. Discrepancies may be explained by the runoff of contents via nose and mouth during external examination and the flow back of tracheal and main bronchial contents into the lungs caused by upright movement of the respiratory tract at autopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolf-Dieter Zech
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Christian Jackowski
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Schwendener
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eva Brencicova
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Frederick Schuster
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, University of Bern, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 10, Bern, CH-3010, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Lombardo
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy of the University of Turin, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Via Genova 3, 10126, Torino, Italy
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143
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Deep Into the Fibers! Postmortem Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Forensic Radiology. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2015; 36:153-61. [DOI: 10.1097/paf.0000000000000177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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144
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Zhang K, Luo YZ, Chen XG, Deng ZH. Sexual dimorphism of sternum using computed tomography – volume rendering technique images of Western Chinese. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2015.1060523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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145
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Postmortem quantitative 1.5-T MRI for the differentiation and characterization of serous fluids, blood, CSF, and putrefied CSF. Int J Legal Med 2015; 129:1127-36. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-015-1218-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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146
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Makino Y, Yamamoto S, Shiotani S, Hayakawa H, Fujimoto H, Yokota H, Horikoshi T, Iwase H, Uno T. Can ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm be accurately diagnosed as the cause of death without postmortem computed tomography when autopsies cannot be performed? Forensic Sci Int 2015; 249:107-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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147
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Racking the brain: Detection of cerebral edema on postmortem computed tomography compared with forensic autopsy. Eur J Radiol 2015; 84:643-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2014.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2014] [Revised: 12/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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148
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Franckenberg S, Kern F, Vogt M, Thali MJ, Flach PM. Fatal gunshot to a fox: The Virtopsy approach in a forensic veterinary case. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jofri.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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149
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Rutty JE, Morgan B, Rutty GN. Managing transformational change: Implementing cross-sectional imaging into death investigation services in the United Kingdom. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jofri.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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150
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Mueller S, Thali Y, Ampanozi G, Flach P, Thali M, Hatch G, Ruder T. Distended diameter of the inferior vena cava is suggestive of pulmonary thromboembolism on unenhanced post-mortem CT. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jofri.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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