title: Differences between postmortem computed tomography and conventional autopsy in a stabbing murder case.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present work is to analyze the differences and similarities between the elements of a conventional autopsy and images obtained from postmortem computed tomography in a case of a homicide stab wound.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparison between the findings of different methods: autopsy and postmortem computed tomography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In some aspects, autopsy is still superior to imaging, especially in relation to external examination and the description of lesion vitality. However, the findings of gas embolism, pneumothorax and pulmonary emphysema and the relationship between the internal path of the instrument of aggression and the entry wound are better demonstrated by postmortem computed tomography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although multislice computed tomography has greater accuracy than autopsy, we believe that the conventional autopsy method is fundamental for providing evidence in criminal investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Talita
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zerbini
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Fernando Ferraz da
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medical Legal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos Gonçalves
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ferro
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando Uliana
authors.initials: FU
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amaro Junior
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Augusto Gonçalves
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pasqualucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Hilario do Nascimento
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Saldiva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*