Virtual autopsy and forensic identification-practical application: a report of one case.
The body of an unidentified elderly woman was found trapped in a floodgate. Prior to autopsy, full-body multislice computed tomography (MSCT) was performed for study of bone lesions and cause of death. Age was estimated by analysis of the sternal end of the fourth rib and of the pubic symphyseal medial articular surfaces. The results were then compared with the autopsy findings. MSCT was superior to autopsy in diagnosis of traumatic bone lesions and also revealed dental anomalies and signs of drowning. Age estimation gave a similar result for both methods. This case report illustrates the potential value of MSCT for medico-legal investigations of death: diagnosis of injuries, possibility of determining the cause of death, and anthropological study in order to estimate age or to visualize features likely to enable identification of a corpse.
Dedouit
Fabrice
F
Service de Médecine Légale, and Service de Radiologie Générale, Hôpital de Rangueil, Avenue du Professeur Jean Poulhès, 31403 Toulouse Cedex 4, France. fabded2@hotmail.com
Telmon
Norbert
N
Guilbeau-Frugier
Céline
C
Gainza
David
D
Otal
Philippe
P
Joffre
Francis
F
Rougé
Daniel
D
D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D004332:Drowning / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards