title: Into the decomposed body-forensic digital autopsy using multislice-computed tomography.
abstract: It is impossible to obtain a representative anatomical documentation of an entire body using classical X-ray methods, they subsume three-dimensional bodies into a two-dimensional level. We used the novel multislice-computed tomography (MSCT) technique in order to evaluate a case of homicide with putrefaction of the corpse before performing a classical forensic autopsy. This non-invasive method showed gaseous distension of the decomposing organs and tissues in detail as well as a complex fracture of the calvarium. MSCT also proved useful in screening for foreign matter in decomposing bodies, and full-body scanning took only a few minutes. In conclusion, we believe postmortem MSCT imaging is an excellent vizualisation tool with great potential for forensic documentation and evaluation of decomposed bodies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Berne, Buehlstrasse 20, 3012 Berne, Switzerland. thali@irm.unibe.ch
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Thali
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vock
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozdoba
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dirnhofer
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D005740:Gases; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005740:Gases