Postmortem radiological imaging and autopsy of a manually strangled dog with a neck twist

Abstract

• Tracheal rupture with ischemic stroke was documented in a dog abuse case. • Excessive gas buildup caused by an air hunger effect was discussed. • PMCT was more appropriate to study the subtle bone structures to diagnose fractures. • Radiological imaging assists in determining a cause and manner of death in prosecuting animal crime. Forensic imaging studies were used to supplement the postmortem examination of a poodle-type dog that died of an unknown cause in an animal crime investigation. The carcass was powdered and the neck was twisted to the left. At the death scene, the police felt crepitation while moving the carcass to the autopsy room. They wondered whether the ribs and cervical bones of the carcass had been broken. Conventional X-rays revealed air pockets along the trachea and also an abundance of air in the subcutaneous tissue and body cavities. Three-dimensional volume-rendered images created from postmortem computed tomography confirmed that the hyoid bone, cervical vertebrae, and ribs were all intact. The findings during the autopsy were focally extensive intradermal and intramuscular hemorrhages and bruises on the right side of the body, tracheal rupture, and substantial brain congestion and edema. The results of the imaging and autopsy findings referred to asphyxiation and hypoxic ischemic stroke in the manner of death caused by blunt force trauma to the neck. During the police inquiry, the accused confessed to strangling the dog with her bare hands.