Skip to main content
Erschienen in: International Journal of Legal Medicine 6/2019

01.07.2019 | Original Article

Post-mortem computed tomography in forensic investigations of lethal gunshot incidents: is there an added value?

verfasst von: Rob A. T. van Kan, I. I. H. Haest, M. B. I. Lobbes, J. Kroll, S. R. Ernst, B. Kubat, P. A. M. Hofman

Erschienen in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Ausgabe 6/2019

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the added value of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) in fatal shooting incidents compared with autopsy findings. For this study, the analysis was restricted to the following four features: location of the entrance and exit wounds, internal injuries, location of projectiles or metal fragments and course of the trajectories. These features were selected because they provide essential information on the cause and manner of death. All data were retrospectively collected from medical forensic examinations of fatal shooting incidents in the Netherlands that occurred in 2010–2014. Twenty-one fatal shooting victims were included in this study, with a total of 100 trajectories. For all 100 trajectories, the forensic radiologist and pathologist came to a consensus on which examination had the highest diagnostic value for each of the four features. PMCT provides superior information on the presence of metal fragments, internal injuries and the course of trajectories. PMCT provides limited information on the discrimination of entrance and exit wounds. In conclusion, PMCT provides additional relevant information in over 60% of forensic medical examinations of deceased victims of shooting incidents. We therefore recommend adding PMCT as a standard examination in these cases.
Literatur
1.
Zurück zum Zitat Wüllenweber R, Schneider V, Grumme T (1977) A computer-tomographical examination of cranial bullet wounds (author’s transl). Z Rechtsmed 80:227–246CrossRefPubMed Wüllenweber R, Schneider V, Grumme T (1977) A computer-tomographical examination of cranial bullet wounds (author’s transl). Z Rechtsmed 80:227–246CrossRefPubMed
2.
Zurück zum Zitat Thali MJ, Yen K, Schweitzer W et al (2003) 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 48:386–403PubMed Thali MJ, Yen K, Schweitzer W et al (2003) 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 48:386–403PubMed
4.
Zurück zum Zitat Stawicki SP, Aggrawal A, Dean AJ, Bahner DA (2008) Postmortem use of advanced imaging techniques: Is autopsy going digital. OPUS Stawicki SP, Aggrawal A, Dean AJ, Bahner DA (2008) Postmortem use of advanced imaging techniques: Is autopsy going digital. OPUS
7.
Zurück zum Zitat Levy AD, Harcke HT (2010) Essentials of forensic imaging: a text-atlas, 1st edn. CRC Press Levy AD, Harcke HT (2010) Essentials of forensic imaging: a text-atlas, 1st edn. CRC Press
17.
Zurück zum Zitat Saukko P, Knight B Gunshot and explosion deaths. In: Knight B, Saukko P (eds) Knight’s forensic pathology. pp 241–275 Saukko P, Knight B Gunshot and explosion deaths. In: Knight B, Saukko P (eds) Knight’s forensic pathology. pp 241–275
19.
Zurück zum Zitat (2000) Recommendation no. R (99) 3 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the harmonization of medico-legal autopsy rules. Forensic Sci Int 111:5–58 (2000) Recommendation no. R (99) 3 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the harmonization of medico-legal autopsy rules. Forensic Sci Int 111:5–58
20.
Zurück zum Zitat Yen K, Vock P, Tiefenthaler B et al (2004) Virtopsy: forensic traumatology of the subcutaneous fatty tissue; multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as diagnostic tools. J Forensic Sci 49:799–806CrossRefPubMed Yen K, Vock P, Tiefenthaler B et al (2004) Virtopsy: forensic traumatology of the subcutaneous fatty tissue; multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as diagnostic tools. J Forensic Sci 49:799–806CrossRefPubMed
24.
Zurück zum Zitat Jackowski C, Sonnenschein M, Thali MJ et al (2005) Virtopsy: postmortem minimally invasive angiography using cross section techniques--implementation and preliminary results. J Forensic Sci 50:1175–1186CrossRefPubMed Jackowski C, Sonnenschein M, Thali MJ et al (2005) Virtopsy: postmortem minimally invasive angiography using cross section techniques--implementation and preliminary results. J Forensic Sci 50:1175–1186CrossRefPubMed
25.
Zurück zum Zitat Grabherr S, Heinemann A, Vogel H, Rutty G, Morgan B, Woźniak K, Dedouit F, Fischer F, Lochner S, Wittig H, Guglielmi G, Eplinius F, Michaud K, Palmiere C, Chevallier C, Mangin P, Grimm JM (2018) Postmortem CT angiography compared with autopsy: a forensic multicenter study. Radiology 170559:270–276. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2018170559 CrossRef Grabherr S, Heinemann A, Vogel H, Rutty G, Morgan B, Woźniak K, Dedouit F, Fischer F, Lochner S, Wittig H, Guglielmi G, Eplinius F, Michaud K, Palmiere C, Chevallier C, Mangin P, Grimm JM (2018) Postmortem CT angiography compared with autopsy: a forensic multicenter study. Radiology 170559:270–276. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1148/​radiol.​2018170559 CrossRef
26.
Zurück zum Zitat Thali MJ, Yen K, Vock P, Ozdoba C, Kneubuehl BP, Sonnenschein M, Dirnhofer R (2003) Image-guided virtual autopsy findings of gunshot victims performed with multi-slice computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and subsequent correlation between radiology and autopsy findings. Forensic Sci Int 138:8–16CrossRefPubMed Thali MJ, Yen K, Vock P, Ozdoba C, Kneubuehl BP, Sonnenschein M, Dirnhofer R (2003) Image-guided virtual autopsy findings of gunshot victims performed with multi-slice computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and subsequent correlation between radiology and autopsy findings. Forensic Sci Int 138:8–16CrossRefPubMed
27.
Zurück zum Zitat Stein KM, Bahner ML, Merkel J, Ain S, Mattern R (2000) Detection of gunshot residues in routine CTs. Int J Legal Med 114:15–18CrossRefPubMed Stein KM, Bahner ML, Merkel J, Ain S, Mattern R (2000) Detection of gunshot residues in routine CTs. Int J Legal Med 114:15–18CrossRefPubMed
Metadaten
Titel
Post-mortem computed tomography in forensic investigations of lethal gunshot incidents: is there an added value?
verfasst von
Rob A. T. van Kan
I. I. H. Haest
M. B. I. Lobbes
J. Kroll
S. R. Ernst
B. Kubat
P. A. M. Hofman
Publikationsdatum
01.07.2019
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Ausgabe 6/2019
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Elektronische ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-019-02108-y

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 6/2019

International Journal of Legal Medicine 6/2019 Zur Ausgabe

Neu im Fachgebiet Rechtsmedizin

Molekularpathologische Untersuchungen im Wandel der Zeit

Open Access Biomarker Leitthema

Um auch an kleinen Gewebeproben zuverlässige und reproduzierbare Ergebnisse zu gewährleisten ist eine strenge Qualitätskontrolle in jedem Schritt des Arbeitsablaufs erforderlich. Eine nicht ordnungsgemäße Prüfung oder Behandlung des …

Vergleichende Pathologie in der onkologischen Forschung

Pathologie Leitthema

Die vergleichende experimentelle Pathologie („comparative experimental pathology“) ist ein Fachbereich an der Schnittstelle von Human- und Veterinärmedizin. Sie widmet sich der vergleichenden Erforschung von Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschieden von …

Gastrointestinale Stromatumoren

Open Access GIST CME-Artikel

Gastrointestinale Stromatumoren (GIST) stellen seit über 20 Jahren ein Paradigma für die zielgerichtete Therapie mit Tyrosinkinaseinhibitoren dar. Eine elementare Voraussetzung für eine mögliche neoadjuvante oder adjuvante Behandlung bei …

Personalisierte Medizin in der Onkologie

Aufgrund des erheblichen technologischen Fortschritts in der molekularen und genetischen Diagnostik sowie zunehmender Erkenntnisse über die molekulare Pathogenese von Krankheiten hat in den letzten zwei Jahrzehnten ein grundlegender …