Erschienen in:
01.01.2006 | Original Article
Does imaging technology overcome problems of conventional postmortem examination?
A trial of computed tomography imaging for postmortem examination
verfasst von:
Mutsumi Hayakawa, Seiji Yamamoto, Hisako Motani, Daisuke Yajima, Yayoi Sato, Hirotaro Iwase
Erschienen in:
International Journal of Legal Medicine
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Ausgabe 1/2006
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Abstract
We used a mobile computed tomography (CT) unit for postmortem examinations of deceased subjects to see how many mistakes on cause-of-death diagnoses were made in Japan. In 5 of 20 cases, the cause of death determined by CT was different from the diagnosis made by superficial postmortem examination. In one case, the superficial examination suggested no trauma, whereas a subdural hematoma was found on cranial CT images. We concluded that postmortem examinations in Japan were not effective when screening for crimes or accidents. Using a mobile CT scanner in postmortem examination may be a viable method of screening for causes of deaths, although it cannot be used as a substitute for autopsy.