Body weight estimation based on postmortem CT data-validation of a multiplication factor

Postmortem computed tomography (pmCT) is increasingly applied in forensic medicine as a documentation and diagnostic tool. The present study investigated if pmCT data can be used to estimate the corpse weight. In 50 forensic cases, pmCT examinations were performed prior to autopsy and the pmCT data were used to determine the body volume using an automated segmentation tool. PmCT was performed within 48 h postmortem. The body weights assessed prior to autopsy and the body volumes assessed using the pmCT data were used to calculate individual multiplication factors. The mean postmortem multiplication factor for the study cases was 1.07 g/ml. Using this factor, the body weight may be estimated retrospectively when necessary. Severe artifact causing foreign bodies within the corpses limit the use of pmCT data for body weight estimations.

Fatal steamer accident; blunt force injuries and drowning in post-mortem MSCT and MRI.

Steamer accidents, through contact with the bucket wheel, are very seldom today. No publication of such a kind of fatal accident could be found in literature. We present the case of a fatal steamer accident, in which the findings of a blunt traumatization of a person by the ship was completely documented by post-mortem combined multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. A rupture of the aorta was detected using both radiological methods without use of radiopaque material. Radiological examination revealed a comminuted fracture of the thorax vertebrae at the same level as the aortic rupture. Injuries of the soft tissues of the back, caused by the bucket wheel of the steamer, were also diagnosed. In addition to the signs of blunt force trauma the findings of drowning such as an over inflation of the lungs, fluid in the stomach and duodenum were revealed. Furthermore, algological analysis detected diatoms in the lung tissue and blood from the left heart. Therefore, the cause of death was considered being a combination of fatal hemorrhage, caused by the aortic rupture, and drowning. We conclude that virtual autopsy using combined post-mortem MSCT and MRI is a useful tool for documentation, visualisation and analysis of the findings of blunt force trauma and drowning with a large potential in forensic medicine.

Postmortem diagnostics using MSCT and MRI of a lethal streptococcus group A infection at infancy: a case report.

Postmortem cross-sectional imaging using multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was considered as a base for a minimal invasive postmortem investigation in forensic medicine such as within the Virtopsy approach. We present the case of a 3-year-old girl with a lethal streptococcus group A infection and the findings of postmortem imaging in this kind of natural death. Postmortem MSCT and MRI revealed an edematous occlusion of the larynx at the level of the vocal cords, severe pneumonia with atelectatic parts of both upper lobes and complete atelectasis of both lower lobes, purulent fluid-filled right main bronchus, enlargement of cervical lymph nodes and pharyngeal tonsils, and additionally, a remaining glossopharyngeal cyst as well as an ureter fissus of the right kidney. All relevant autopsy findings could be obtained and visualized by postmortem imaging and confirmed by histological and microbiological investigations supporting the idea of a minimal invasive autopsy technique.

Virtopsy: postmortem imaging of the human heart in situ using MSCT and MRI.

The rapid further development of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) induced the idea to use these techniques for postmortem documentation of forensic findings. Until now, only a few institutes of forensic medicine have acquired experience in postmortem cross-sectional imaging. Protocols, image interpretation and visualization have to be adapted to the postmortem conditions. Especially, postmortem alterations, such as putrefaction and livores, different temperature of the corpse and the loss of the circulation are a challenge for the imaging process and interpretation. Advantages of postmortem imaging are the higher exposure and resolution available in CT when there is no concern for biologic effects of ionizing radiation, and the lack of cardiac motion artifacts during scanning. CT and MRI may become useful tools for postmortem documentation in forensic medicine. In Bern, 80 human corpses underwent postmortem imaging by CT and MRI prior to traditional autopsy until the month of August 2003. Here, we describe the imaging appearance of postmortem alterations--internal livores, putrefaction, postmortem clotting--and distinguish them from the forensic findings of the heart, such as calcification, endocarditis, myocardial infarction, myocardial scarring, injury and other morphological alterations.

Body Height Estimation from Femur Measurements in Postmortem Computed Tomography

After attending this presentation, attendees will: (1) understand how body height from computed tomography data can be estimated; and, (2) gain knowledge about the accuracy of estimated body height and limitations. The presentation will impact the forensic science community by providing knowledge and competence which will enable attendees to develop formulas for single bones to reconstruct body height using postmortem Computer Tomography (p-CT) data. The estimation of Body Height (BH) is an important component of the identification of corpses and skeletal remains. Stature can be estimated with relative accuracy via the measurement of long bones, such as the femora. Compared to time-consuming maceration procedures, p-CT allows fast and simple measurements of bones. This study undertook four objectives concerning the accuracy of BH estimation via p-CT: (1) accuracy between measurements on native bone and p-CT imaged bone (F1 according to Martin 1914); (2) intra-observer p-CT measurement precision; (3) accuracy between formula-based estimation of the BH and conventional body length measurement during autopsy; and, (4) accuracy of different estimation formulas available.1 In the first step, the accuracy of measurements in the CT compared to those obtained using an osteometric board was evaluated on the basis of eight defleshed femora. Then the femora of 83 female and 144 male corpses of a Swiss population for which p-CTs had been performed, were measured at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bern. After two months, 20 individuals were measured again in order to assess the intraobserver error. The mean age of the men was 53±17 years and that of the women was 61±20 years. Additionally, the body length of the corpses was measured conventionally. The mean body length was 176.6±7.2cm for men and 163.6±7.8cm for women. The images that were obtained using a six-slice CT were reconstructed with a slice thickness of 1.25mm. Analysis and measurements of CT images were performed on a multipurpose workstation. As a forensic standard procedure, stature was estimated by means of the regression equations by Penning & Riepert developed on a Southern German population and for comparison, also those referenced by Trotter & Gleser “American White.”2,3 All statistical tests were performed with a statistical software. No significant differences were found between the CT and osteometric board measurements. The double p-CT measurement of 20 individuals resulted in an absolute intra-observer difference of 0.4±0.3mm. For both sexes, the correlation between the body length and the estimated BH using the F1 measurements was highly significant. The correlation coefficient was slightly higher for women. The differences in accuracy of the different formulas were small. While the errors of BH estimation were generally ±4.5–5.0cm, the consideration of age led to an increase in accuracy of a few millimetres to about 1cm. BH estimations according to Penning & Riepert and Trotter & Gleser were slightly more accurate when age-at-death was taken into account.2,3 That way, stature estimations in the group of individuals older than 60 years were improved by about 2.4cm and 3.1cm.2,3 The error of estimation is therefore about a third of the common ±4.7cm error range. Femur measurements in p-CT allow very accurate BH estimations. Estimations according to Penning led to good results that (barely) come closer to the true value than the frequently used formulas by Trotter & Gleser “American White.”2,3 Therefore, the formulas by Penning & Riepert are also validated for this substantial recent Swiss population.

Post mortem computed tomography and core needle biopsy in comparison to autopsy in eleven bernese mountain Dogs with histiocytic sarcoma

Background: Bernese mountain dogs are reported to have a shorter life expectancy than other breeds. A Major reason for this has been assigned to a high tumour prevalence, especially of histiocytic sarcoma. The efforts made by the breeding clubs to improve the longevity with the help of genetic tests and breeding value estimations are impeded by insufficiently reliable diagnoses regarding the cause of death. The current standard for post mortem examination in animals is performance of an autopsy. In human forensic medicine, imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are used with increasing frequency as a complement to autopsy. The present study investigates, whether post mortem computed tomography in combination with core needle biopsy is able to provide a definitive diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma. For this purpose we have analysed the results of post mortem computed tomography and core needle biopsy in eleven Bernese mountain dogs. In the subsequent autopsy, every dog had a definitive diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma, based on immunohistochemistry. Results: Computed tomography revealed space-occupying lesions in all dogs. Lesion detection by post mortem computed tomography was similar to lesion detection in autopsy for lung tissue (9 cases in computed tomography / 8 cases in autopsy), thoracic lymph nodes (9/8), spleen (6/7), kidney (2/2) and bone (3/3). Hepatic nodules, however, were difficult to detect with our scanning protocol (2/7). Histology of the core needle biopsies provided definitive diagnoses of histiocytic sarcoma in ten dogs, including confirmation by immunohistochemistry in six dogs. The biopsy samples of the remaining dog did not contain any identifiable neoplastic cells. Autolysis was the main reason for uncertain histological diagnoses. Conclusions: Post mortem computed tomography is a fast and effective method for the detection of lesions suspicious for histiocytic sarcoma in pulmonary, thoracic lymphatic, splenic, osseous and renal tissue. Optimization of the procedure regarding the scanning protocol and tissue sample size and number will improve the accuracy of the method. Keywords: Post mortem computed tomography, Core needle biopsy, Bernese mountain dog, Histiocytic sarcoma, Autopsy

Computer-assisted virtual autopsy using surgical navigation techniques

UNLABELLED OBJECTIVE; Virtual autopsy methods, such as postmortem CT and MRI, are increasingly being used in forensic medicine. Forensic investigators with little to no training in diagnostic radiology and medical laypeople such as state's attorneys often find it difficult to understand the anatomic orientation of axial postmortem CT images. We present a computer-assisted system that permits postmortem CT datasets to be quickly and intuitively resliced in real time at the body to narrow the gap between radiologic imaging and autopsy. CONCLUSION Our system is a potentially valuable tool for planning autopsies, showing findings to medical laypeople, and teaching CT anatomy, thus further closing the gap between radiology and forensic pathology.

Quien puede querer, quiso? El consentimiento sexual como problema en el tratamiento judicial de los delitos sexuales, Bs. As. 1863-1921

En los últimos años, los delitos sexuales se han convertido en objeto de preocupación para la sociedad; esto se vio reforzado por las nuevas formas de pensar y vivir las relaciones humanas inter e intra-género-s y especialmente las elecciones sexuales. En este trabajo propongo volver a poner en debate algunas cuestiones que hacen al problema de la definición jurídico-social y a la comprensión del "consentimiento" en el contexto específico de los expedientes seguidos por delitos sexuales en el ámbito de la provincia de Buenos Aires, entre 1863 y 1921, teniendo en cuenta la importancia que este concepto tiene para la definición de los delitos sexuales como tales. También se tomarán en cuenta algunos escritos de la época que permiten conocer la circulación de ideas en el ámbito específico del derecho y la medicina legal. Al mismo tiempo, pretendo poner en tensión las ideas sociales y culturales que aparezcan reflejadas en las fuentes respecto de qué es, cómo se otorga y cuándo puede hablarse de un efectivo consentimiento, así como de su contrario. Poniendo en juego las subjetividades propias de los participantes en el proceso. Resaltando la centralidad de esta cuestión en el mismo tanto para la definición de una víctima como para la caracterización de los acusados

Violencia y poder : Crímenes sexuales en Buenos Aires, 1850-1860

Este trabajo busca introducir al lector en una problemática tan antigua como actual: el de los crímenes sexuales, proponiéndo un acercamiento múltiple desde la visión jurídica y la social, desde las víctimas y su familia. Nos hemos concentrado especialmente en tratar de observar la violencia sexual jurídica que define a la víctima según su sexo, "cualidad moral" y el acto que se cometiera sobre ella, que le niega el derecho a reclamar, adoctrinando en el silencio como mejor opción que la denuncia. También nos propusimos mostrar como hay personas que desafiando este "disciplinamiento" busca el castigo del o los culpables del delito sabiendo sin embargo que existe un precio muy alto que pagar por ello: la deshonra pública de una hija o hijo

Quien puede querer, quiso? El consentimiento sexual como problema en el tratamiento judicial de los delitos sexuales, Bs. As. 1863-1921

En los últimos años, los delitos sexuales se han convertido en objeto de preocupación para la sociedad; esto se vio reforzado por las nuevas formas de pensar y vivir las relaciones humanas inter e intra-género-s y especialmente las elecciones sexuales. En este trabajo propongo volver a poner en debate algunas cuestiones que hacen al problema de la definición jurídico-social y a la comprensión del "consentimiento" en el contexto específico de los expedientes seguidos por delitos sexuales en el ámbito de la provincia de Buenos Aires, entre 1863 y 1921, teniendo en cuenta la importancia que este concepto tiene para la definición de los delitos sexuales como tales. También se tomarán en cuenta algunos escritos de la época que permiten conocer la circulación de ideas en el ámbito específico del derecho y la medicina legal. Al mismo tiempo, pretendo poner en tensión las ideas sociales y culturales que aparezcan reflejadas en las fuentes respecto de qué es, cómo se otorga y cuándo puede hablarse de un efectivo consentimiento, así como de su contrario. Poniendo en juego las subjetividades propias de los participantes en el proceso. Resaltando la centralidad de esta cuestión en el mismo tanto para la definición de una víctima como para la caracterización de los acusados

El delito de violación en varones : Masculinidad en conflicto y discurso judicial [Buenos Aires, 1850-1890]

La violación es un delito que puede ser cometido tanto en hombres como en mujeres, sin embargo, este hecho no siempre fue entendido ni aceptado por la sociedad argentina. El presente trabajo pretende brindar una primera mirada, a través de casos escogidos, acerca de qué ocurría a nivel discursivo y operativo judicial cuando se denunciaba un delito sexual cometido contra un varón menor de edad

Entre la pureza y la perversión : Construcciones médico-jurídicas sobre los delitos sexuales en menores en la Argentina entre 1860 y 1880

El trabajo tiene como objetivo indagar respecto de algunas de las construcciones que peritos médicos y juristas compartían o discutían respecto de qué define al niño, al joven y al menor (tanto varón como mujer) así como las ideas que circularon en el ámbito de la justicia respecto de la sexualidad de aquellos, en el contexto específico de los delitos sexuales que los tuvieran como víctimas en un amplio marco temporal que va de 1850 a 1890 en la Provincia de Buenos Aires. He decidido trabajar en forma simultánea ambos grupos de profesionales por cuanto comparten al mismo tiempo una base educativa común, teniendo formación universitaria, y un conjunto de lecturas similar: escritos ingleses sobre el tratamiento de las pruebas, manuales franceses sobre medicina legal, y las teorías nuevas que circulaban en Europa sobre la psiquiatría y la psicopatología sexual. Para el trabajo utilizo expedientes judiciales relevados en el Archivo Judicial de la Corte Suprema (AJCS) y en el Archivo Histórico de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (AHPBA) buscando mostrar como los legistas involucrados dejan constancia de imágenes cristalizadas sobre cómo debe ser y quién es una victima

Relaciones monstruosas : El problema del incesto [Buenos Aires, 1850-1890]

En el presente trabajo pretendo por un lado discutir brevemente las consideraciones en torno al problema del incesto como tabú, pecado y delito para luego analizar, en forma más exhaustiva, las formas específicas en que la justicia argentina del siglo XIX problematiza las denuncias donde se acusa a padres varones de cometer un delito sexual sobre sus hijas mujeres. Pretendo mostrar los conflictos que se reflejan hacia dentro de la justicia a la hora de enfrentarse con este delito, particularmente por cuanto desafía las ideas establecidas sobre los roles familiares haciendo obligatoria discutir la propia existencia del mismo que se basa en la idea del consentimiento de ambas partes, estableciendo un límite que lo separa del "estupro" o la "violación"

Violencia y poder : Crímenes sexuales en Buenos Aires, 1850-1860

Este trabajo busca introducir al lector en una problemática tan antigua como actual: el de los crímenes sexuales, proponiéndo un acercamiento múltiple desde la visión jurídica y la social, desde las víctimas y su familia. Nos hemos concentrado especialmente en tratar de observar la violencia sexual jurídica que define a la víctima según su sexo, "cualidad moral" y el acto que se cometiera sobre ella, que le niega el derecho a reclamar, adoctrinando en el silencio como mejor opción que la denuncia. También nos propusimos mostrar como hay personas que desafiando este "disciplinamiento" busca el castigo del o los culpables del delito sabiendo sin embargo que existe un precio muy alto que pagar por ello: la deshonra pública de una hija o hijo