POSSIBILITIES OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF MECHANICAL TRAUMA AND SUDDEN DEATH (A LITERATURE REVIEW)
Abstract
ABSTRACT. The review analyzes the possibility of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) use in the forensic examination of corpses of adults. We present the critical analysis of literature on post-mortem imaging in terms of forensic thanatology. The review is based on basic Internet resources: Scientific Electronic Library (elibrary), Scopus, PubMed. The review includes articles that discuss both advantages and limitations of post-mortem MSCT and MRI imaging in forensic examination of the corpse.
Through studying the available literature, the authors attempted to answer two questions: 1) which method was more suitable for the purposes of forensic examination of the corpse - MSCT or MRI; 2) whether the virtual autopsy replaced the traditional autopsy in the near future?
Conclusion: comprehensive study of the corpse often requires both imaging methods; in cases of death under mechanical damage, MSCT exceeds the range of possibilities of MRI; today, virtual autopsy cannot completely replace traditional autopsy in forensic science, since there are no convincing evidence-based comparative studies, as well as the legal framework of the method.
About the Authors
L. S. Kokov
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
A. F. Kinle
Russian Medical Academy for Postgraduate Education
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
V. Y. Sinitsyn
M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
B. A. Filimonov
I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
References
1. Wullenweber R., Schneider V., Grumme T. A computer-tomographical examination of cranial bullet wounds // Z. Rechtsmed. – 1977. – Vol. 80, N. 3. – P. 227–246.
2. Kalender W.A., Seissler W., Klotz E., Vock P. Spiral volumetric CT with single-breath-hold technique, continuous transport, and continuous scanner rotation // Radiology. – 1990. – Vol. 176. – P. 181–183.
3. Donchin Y., Rivkind A.I., Bar-Ziv J., et al. Utility of postmortem computed tomography in trauma victims // J. Trauma. – 1994. – Vol. 37, N. 4. – P. 552–555.
4. Patriquin L., Kassarjian A., Barish M., et al. Postmortem whole-body magnetic resonance imaging as an adjunct to autopsy: preliminary clinical experience // J. Magn. Reson. Imaging. – 2001. – Vol. 13, N. 2. – P. 277–287.
5. Thali M.J., Yen K., Schweitzer W., et al. Virtopsy, a new imaging horizon in forensic pathology: virtual autopsy by postmortem multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — a feasibility study // J. Forensic. Sci. – 2003. – Vol. 48, N. 2. – P. 386–403.
6. Dirnhofer R., Schick P.J., Ranner G. Virtopsy — Obduktion neu in Bildern. – Wien, Austria: Manzsche Verlags- und Universitaetsbuchhandlung, 2010. ISBN 978-3-214-10191-6.
7. Roberts I., Benamore R.E., Benbow E.W., et al. Post-mortem imaging as an alternative to autopsy in the diagnosis of adult deaths: a validation study // Lancet. – 2012. – Vol. 379, N. 9811. – P. 136–142.
8. Ross S., Spendlove D., Bolliger S., et al. Postmortem whole-body CT angiography: evaluation of two contrast media solutions // AJR Am. J. Roentgenol. – 2008. – Vol. 190, N. 5. – P. 1380–1389.
9. Grabherr S., Djonov V., Yen K., et al. Postmortem angiography: review of former and current methods // AJR Am. J. Roentgenol. – 2007. – Vol. 188, N. 3. – P. 832–838.
10. Судебная медицина и судебно-медицинская экспертиза: национальное руководство / под ред. Ю.И. Пиголкина. — М.: ГЭОТАР- Медиа, 2014. – С. 664–679. Pigolkin Yu.I., ed. Sudebnaya meditsina i sudebno-meditsinskaya ekspertiza: natsional’noe rukovodstvo [Forensic medicine and forensic medical examination: national guideline]. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media Publ., 2014. 664–679. (In Russian).
11. Руководство по судебной медицине / под ред. В.Н. Крюкова, И.В. Буромского. – М.: Норма, 2014. – С. 364–371. Kryukov V.N., Buromskiy I.V., ed. Rukovodstvo po sudebnoy meditsine [Guide to forensic medicine]. Moscow: Norma Publ., 2014. 364–371. (In Russian).
12. Морозов С.П., Насникова И.Ю., Синицын В.Е. Мультиспиральная компьютерная томография / под ред. С.К. Тернового. – М.: ГЭОТАР- Медиа, 2009. – С. 9–11. Morozov S.P., Nasnikova I.Yu., Sinitsyn V. E., Ternovoy S.K., ed. Mul’tispiral’naya komp’yuternaya tomografiya [Multislice computed tomography]. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media Publ., 2009. 9–11. (In Russian).
13. Roberts I.S., Traill Z.C. Minimally invasive autopsy employing post-mortem CT and targeted coronary angiography: evaluation of its application to a routine Coronial service // Histopathology. – 2014. – Vol. 64, N. 2. – P. 211–217.
14. Shiotani S., Yamazaki K., Kikuchi K., et al. Postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMRI) demonstration of reversible injury phase myocardium in a case of sudden death from acute coronary plaque change // Radiat. Med. – 2005. – Vol. 23, N. 8. – P. 563–565.
15. Jackowski C., Schweitzer W., Thali M., et al. Virtopsy: postmortem imaging of the human heart in situ using MSCT and MRI // Forensic. Sci. Int. – 2005. – Vol. 149, N. 1. – P. 11–23.
16. Jackowski C., Christe A., Sonnenschein M., et al. Postmortem unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging of myocardial infarction in correlation to histological infarction age characterization // Eur Heart J. – 2006. – Vol. 27, N. 20. – P. 2459–2467.
17. Dirnhofer R., Jackowski C., Vock P. Virtopsy: Minimally Invasive, Imaging-guided Virtual Autopsy // RadioGraphics. – 2006. – Vol. 26, N. 5. – Режим доступа: http://pubs.rsna.org/doi/abs/10.1148/rg.265065001
18. Jackowski C., Thali M., Buck U., et al. Noninvasive estimation of organ weights by postmortem MRI and MSCT imaging in consideration of intrahepatic gas due to putrefaction and air due to venous air embolism // Invest. Radiol. – 2006. – Vol. 41, N. 7. – P. 572–578.
19. Shiotani S., Watanabe K., Kohno M., et al. Postmortem computed tomographic (PMCT) findings of pericardial effusion due to acute aortic dissection // Radiat. Med. – 2004. – Vol. 22, N. 6. – P. 405–407.
20. Grabherr S., Djonov V., Friess A., et al. Postmortem angiography after vascular perfusion with diesel oil and a lipophilic contrast agent // AJR Am. J. Roentgenol. – 2006. – Vol. 187, N. 5. – W515–523.
21. Jackowski C., Thali M., Aghayev E., et al. Postmortem imaging of blood and its characteristics using MSCT and MRI // Int. J. Legal. Med. – 2006. – Vol. 120, N. 4. – P. 233–240.
22. Thali M.J., Yen K., Schweitzer W., et al. Into the decomposed body: forensic digital autopsy using multislice-computed tomography // Forensic Sci. Int. – 2003. – Vol. 134, N. 2–3. – P. 109–114.
23. Jackowski C., Sonnenschein M., Thali M.J., et al. Virtopsy: postmortem minimally invasive angiography using cross section techniques — implementation and preliminary results // J. Forensic Sci. – 2005. – Vol. 50, N. 5. – P. 1175–1186.
24. Лучевая диагностика болезней сердца и сосудов: нац. руководство / под ред. Л.С. Коковa. – М.: ГЭОТАР-Медиа, 2011. – C. 48–56. Kokov L.S., ed. Luchevaya diagnostika bolezney serdtsa i sosudov: nats. rukovodstvo [Radial diagnostics of diseases of heart and vessels: national guideline]. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media Publ., 2011. 48–56. (In Russian).
25. Shiotani S., Kohno M., Ohashi N., et al. Non-traumatic postmortem computed tomographic (PMCT) findings of the lung // Forensic Sci. Int. – 2004. – Vol. 139. – P. 39–48.
26. Levy A.D. Postmortem radiology and imaging [Electronic resource] // Medscape. – 2012, update Jul 16. – Режим доступа: http://emedicine. medscape.com/article/1785023-overview
27. Jacobsen C., Schon C.A., Kneubuehl B., et al. Unusually extensive head trauma in a hydraulic elevator accident: post-mortem MSCT findings, autopsy results and scene reconstruction // J. Forensic Leg. Med. – 2008. – Vol. 15, N. 7. – P. 462–466. http://emedicine.medscape. com/article/1785023-overview
28. Yen K., Lövblad K., Scheurer E., et al. Post-mortem forensic neuroimaging: correlation of MSCT and MRI findings with autopsy results // Forensic. Sci. Int. – 2007. – Vol. 173, N. 1. – P. 21–35
29. Aghayev E., Christe A., Sonnenschein M., et al. Postmortem imaging of blunt chest trauma using CT and MRI: comparison with autopsy // J. Thorac. Imaging. – 2008. – Vol. 23, N. 1. – P. 20–27.
30. Aghayev E., Sonnenschein M., Jackowski C., et al. Postmortem radiology of fatal hemorrhage: measurements of cross-sectional areas of major blood vessels and volumes of aorta and spleen on MDCT and volumes of heart chambers on MRI // AJR Am. J. Roentgenol. – 2006. – Vol. 187. – P. 209–215.
31. Christe A., Ross S., Oesterhelweg L., et al. Abdominal trauma — sensitivity and specificity of postmortem noncontrast imaging findings compared with autopsy findings // J. Trauma. – 2009. – Vol. 66, N. 5. – P. 1302–1307.
32. Jackowski C., Thali M., Sonnenschein M., et al. Visualization and quantification of air embolism structure by processing postmortem MSCT data // J. Forensic. Sci. – 2004. – Vol. 49, N. 6. – P. 1339–1342.
33. Levy A.D., Abbott R.M., Mallak C.T., et al. Virtual autopsy: preliminary experience in high-velocity gunshot wound victims // Radiology. – 2006. – Vol. 240, N. 2. – P. 522–528.
34. Madea B., Henssge C., Lockhoven H.B. Priority of multiple gunshot injuries of the skull // Z. Rechtsmed. – 1986. – Vol. 97, N. 3. – P. 213–218.
35. Andenmatten M.A., Thali M.J., Kneubuehl B.P., et al. Gunshot injuries detected by post-mortem multislice computed tomography (MSCT): a feasibility study // Legal. Med (Tokyo). – 2008. – Vol. 10, N. 6. – P. 287– 292.
36. Aghayev E., Staub L., Dirnhofer R., et al. Virtopsy — the concept of a centralized database in forensic medicine for analysis and comparison of radiological and autopsy data // J. Forensic. Leg. Med. – 2008. – Vol. 15, N. 3. – P. 135–140.
37. Дадабаев В.К., Стрелков А.А. Законодательная основа производства судебно-медицинской экспертизы и возможности применения рентгеновского метода компьютерной томографии (СКТ) в исследовании трупа // Библиотека криминалиста. Научный журнал. – 2014. – № 6. – С. 275–280. Dadabaev V.K., Strelkov A.A. Zakonodatel’naya osnova proizvodstva sudebno-meditsinskoy ekspertizy i vozmozhnosti primeneniya rentgenovskogo metoda komp’yuternoy tomografii (SKT) v issledovanii trupa [The legal basis of production for ensicsand applications of Xraycomputerized tomography (CT) in the study of the corpse]. Biblioteka kriminalista. Nauchnyy zhurnal. 2014; 6: 275–280. (In Russian).
38. Weustink A.C., Hunick M., van Dijke C.F., et al. Minimally invasive autopsy: an alternative to conventional autopsy // Radiology. – 2009. – Vol. 250, N. 3. – P. 897–904.
39. Beck J.J.W. What is the future of imaging in forensic practice? // Radiography. – 2011. – Vol. 17, N. 3. – P. 212–217
40. Thali M.J., Braun M., Buck U., et al. Virtopsy — scientific documentation, reconstruction and animation in forensic: individual and real 3D data based geometric approach including optical body/object surface and radiological CT/MRI scanning // J. Forensic. Sci. – 2005. – Vol. 50, N. 2. – P. 428–442.
Review
For citations:
Kokov L.S., Kinle A.F., Sinitsyn V.Y., Filimonov B.A. POSSIBILITIES OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN FORENSIC MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF MECHANICAL TRAUMA AND SUDDEN DEATH (A LITERATURE REVIEW). Russian Sklifosovsky Journal "Emergency Medical Care". 2015;(2):16-26.
Views:
948
Email this article 