This superbly illustrated book examines all aspects of the use of modern post-mortem imaging in forensic investigations, which has flourished since the introduction of multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Readers will find guidance on the applications of all relevant imaging modalities and contrast media. Analogies and differences between forensic and clinical imaging are highlighted, and it is explained what lessons forensic imaging holds for clinical radiology, and vice versa. The remainder of the book comprehensively documents the typical “normal” post-mortem findings and the imaging presentations in various forms of trauma and nontraumatic forensic cases, including those in which medical liability may be an issue. The authors are radiologists and forensic radiologists from across the world who have extensive experience in post-mortem imaging. The book is primarily intended for forensic pathologists, radiologists, and radiographers seeking practical information on forensic imaging, but it will also be of interest to others, such as lawyers, who encounter this specialty during their professional activities.
Author(s): Fabrice Dedouit, Kathrin Yen, Sarah Heinze
Series: Medical Radiology
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 203
City: Cham
Foreword
Preface
In Memoriam: B. G. Brogdon (1929–2014)
In Memoriam: H. Vogel (1942–2018)
Contents
Abbreviations
Forensic Imaging: A New Subspeciality of Radiology
1 A “Historical” Introduction
2 The Role of Forensic Imaging in Today’s Forensic Medicine
2.1 Forensic Imaging in Clinical Forensic Medicine
2.2 Forensic Imaging in Forensic Pathology
3 From Today to the Future
References
Imaging Methods
1 Introduction
2 Technologies
2.1 X-Ray
2.2 Computed Tomography
2.2.1 Ante-mortem Computed Tomography
2.2.2 Post-mortem Computed Tomography
2.3 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
2.4 Contrast Agents
2.5 Further Technologies
2.5.1 Photography/Video-Technics
2.5.2 3D Surface Scanning
2.5.3 Scintigraphy
2.5.4 Ultrasound
2.5.5 Photon-Counting Computed Tomography
References
What Can the Clinical Radiologist Learn from Forensic Imaging? Analogies and Differences Between Forensic and Clinical Imaging
1 Introduction
2 Different Reason to Perform an Examination
3 Distinguishing the Description and Interpretation in Radiological Reports
4 Usage of Easy, Understandable Language Without Any Medical Terms
5 Receiving Specific Questions
6 Optimization of Protocols on the Deceased for the Living
7 Morphology
8 Increase of Knowledge in Inflicted Trauma
9 Different Point of View of Injuries and their “Consequences”
10 Dating Injury: Wound Healing, Fracture Healing
11 Legal Considerations and the Obligations of the Radiologist
References
Part I: Typical Normal Post-mortem Findings
Post-mortem Changes
1 Livores
2 Rigor Mortis
3 Gas
4 Putrefaction Liquids
5 Temperature
6 Brain
7 Vessels
References
Normal Post-mortem Imaging Findings in Foetuses and Children
1 Introduction
2 Foetuses
2.1 Objective
2.2 Radiographs (Calder and Offiah 2015)
2.2.1 Technique
2.2.2 Normal Post-mortem Findings
2.3 Ultrasound (Prodhomme et al. 2015a)
2.3.1 Technique
2.3.2 Normal Post-mortem Findings
2.3.2.1 Brain and Spine
2.3.2.2 Chest
2.3.2.3 Abdomen
2.4 Opacifications
2.4.1 Technique
2.5 Magnetic Resonance Imaging
2.5.1 Technique
2.5.2 Normal Post-mortem Findings
2.5.2.1 Brain (Prayer et al. 2006; Arthurs et al. 2015; Barkovich and Barkovich 2019) (Fig. 14)
2.5.2.2 Chest (Arthurs et al. 2014; Barber et al. 2015) (Fig. 15)
2.5.2.3 Abdomen
2.6 Computed Tomography (CT), CT Angiography, Post-mortem micro-CT and High Field MRI
3 Children
3.1 General Considerations
3.2 Radiographs
3.3 Computed Tomography
3.3.1 Technique
3.3.2 Non-specific Findings
3.3.2.1 Brain (Bardainne et al. 1996; Sieswerda-Hoogendoorn et al. 2015)
3.3.2.2 Chest
3.3.2.3 Abdomen-Pelvis
3.3.2.4 Skeleton
3.4 Magnetic Resonance Imaging
3.4.1 Technique (Norman et al. 2016) (Fig. 28)
3.4.2 Normal Post-mortem Findings
3.4.2.1 Brain (Arthurs et al. 2015)
3.4.2.2 Chest (Arthurs et al. 2014)
3.4.2.3 Abdomen and Pelvis
3.4.2.4 Skeleton
4 Illustrated Pathological Examples
5 Conclusion
References
Miscellaneous: Mummification, Adipocere, and Artefacts
1 Mummification
2 Adipocere
3 Artefacts
References
Part II: Examples for Typical Traumatic Forensic Cases
Blunt Force, Gunshot, and Sharp Force Injuries
1 Introduction
2 External Changes
3 Internal Changes
4 Blunt Force Trauma
5 Firearm Injuries
6 Sharp Force Injuries
7 Summary
References
Asphyxia
1 Introduction
2 Hanging and Strangulation
2.1 In the Living
2.2 In Post-mortem
3 Drowning
3.1 In the Living
3.2 In Post-mortem
4 Obstruction of the Airways
5 Compression of the Thoracic Cage
6 Conclusion
References
Child Abuse, a Post-mortem Forensic Perspective
1 Introduction
2 Dutch Clinical Post-mortem Imaging Guideline
3 Foetuses and Neonates
3.1 Post-mortem Imaging Guideline
3.2 Imaging Interpretation
3.3 Conventional Radiography
3.4 Post-mortem CT and MRI
4 Infants and Children
4.1 Post-mortem Imaging Guideline
5 Imaging Interpretation
5.1 Conventional Radiography
5.2 PMCT
5.3 PMMRI
5.4 Minimal Invasive Autopsy
6 Autopsy Specimen
7 Conclusion
References
Post-mortem Computed Tomography of Charred Victims in Modern Forensic Medicine
1 Background
2 The Role of PMCT and How to Proceed
2.1 The Role of PMCT
2.2 Limitations of PMCT
2.3 How to Proceed for PMCT Realization?
3 Guidelines for the Radiologist Concerning PMCT in Heat-Induced Deaths and His Radiological Report
3.1 Complete Description of Potential Identification Elements
3.2 Identification of the Collection Sites Available for Biological Samples Dedicated to Toxicology
3.3 Detection of Foreign Bodies, Especially Ballistic, and Traumatic Injuries
3.4 Characteristic Burn-Related Lesions
3.4.1 Overall State of Charred Bodies
3.4.2 Head
3.4.3 Dental Lesions
3.4.4 Airways and Chest
3.4.5 Abdomen
3.4.6 Long Bones
4 Conclusion
References
Part III: Examples for Typical Non Traumatic Forensic Cases
Natural Death
1 Introduction
2 Coronary Artery Disease and Ischemic Myocardium
3 Heart and Aorta
4 Cerebrovascular and Intracranial Disease
5 Airways and Respiratory Diseases
6 Intra-abdominal Diseases
7 Conclusion
References
Death at Hospital and Medical Liability: Investigation of Medical Interventions with Fatal Outcome by Post-mortem Computed Tomography
1 Introduction
2 Fatal Outcome in Preclinical and Clinical Settings: Common Case groups
2.1 Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care
2.2 Transvascular Interventions
2.3 General and Cardiothoracic Surgery
3 Conclusions
References
