Chapter 8 - Postmortem imaging in forensic cases

Abstract

Postmortem imaging is the application to forensics of imaging techniques used in the routine assessment of clinical diagnoses. The techniques involve, but are not limited to, ultrasound, X-rays, computed tomography and magnetic resonance. The aim of postmortem imaging is to complement, and in some cases substitute, traditional autopsies. Postmortem imaging has developed dramatically since the turn of the millennium. In 2011, the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging (ISFRI) was founded, and in 2013 the related journal was launched. An updated list of imaging techniques and a summary of five cases are outlined in this chapter. The findings in the case study vary from incidental to elements of personal identification, through imaging misdiagnosis and bone trauma analysis. Finally, postmortem imaging is almost always carried out before a traditional autopsy, but a post autopsy imaging is justified in limited cases.