Fimag: the United Kingdom disaster victim/forensic identification imaging system.
Imaging is an integral diagnostic tool in mass fatality investigations undertaken traditionally by plain X-rays, fluoroscopy, and dental radiography. However, little attention has been given to appropriate image reporting, secure data transfer and storage particularly in relation to the need to meet stringent judicial requirements. Notwithstanding these limitations, it is the risk associated with the safe handling and investigation of contaminated fatalities which is providing new challenges for mass fatality radiological imaging. Mobile multi-slice computed tomography is an alternative to these traditional modalities as it provides a greater diagnostic yield and an opportunity to address the requirements of the criminal justice system. We present a new national disaster victim/forensic identification imaging system--Fimag--which is applicable for both contaminated and non-contaminated mass fatality imaging and addresses the issues of judicial reporting. We suggest this system opens a new era in radiological diagnostics for mass fatalities.
East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK. gnr3@le.ac.uk
Guy N
GN
Rutty
Claire
C
Robinson
Bruno
B
Morgan
Sue
S
Black
Catherine
C
Adams
Philip
P
Webster
D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents; D011873:Radiology Information Systems; D012984:Software; D013686:Telemetry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D006113:United Kingdom