title: Autopsy artifact created by the Revivant AutoPulse resuscitation device.
abstract: In certain cases, the evaluation and correct identification of resuscitative artifacts is critical to the correct diagnosis and determination of the cause and manner of death. Resuscitative artifacts can resemble homicidal or accidental injury and thus possibly be misinterpreted. Occasionally, new technologies and/or medical procedures will create original and/or distinctive artifacts. In 2003, the San Francisco Fire Department emergency personnel began field-testing the Revivant AutoPulse, an automated chest compression device. This device is currently being used in two other counties in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as regions of Florida, Virginia, and Ohio. We present three cases of resuscitative artifact that could be potentially confused with homicidal or accidental injury. These cases illustrate resuscitative artifacts, specifically lateral chest and horizontally oriented upper abdomen cutaneous abrasions created by this automated chest compression device.
authors.affiliation: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, City and County of San Francisco, Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant St., San Francisco, CA 94103, USA. amy.hart@sfgov.org
authors.forename: Amy P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Venus J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Azar
authors.forename: Katherine R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Boyd G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Stephens
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D001331:Automation; D001344:Autopsy; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology