State of the art in post-mortem forensic imaging in China

Abstract

The autopsy and histopathologic examination are traditional and classic approaches in forensic pathology. In recent years, with the tremendous progresses of computer technology and medical imaging technology, the developed post-mortem computer tomography, post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging and other new methods provide non-invasive, intuitive, high-precision examining methods and research tools for the forensic pathology. As a result, the reconstruction of the injury as well as the analysis of injury mechanism has been essentially achieved. Such methods have become popular in the research field of forensic science and related work has also been carried out in China. This paper reviews the development and application of abovementioned post-mortem forensic imaging methods in China based on the relevant literature.

Keywords: Forensic science; finite element analysis; post-mortem computer tomography; post-mortem computer tomography angiography; post-mortem forensic imaging; post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging.

Figure 1.

Comparison of PMCT and autopsy findings of victims in traffic accidents. (A and B) 3D reconstruction and autopsy showing comminuted fractures of the femur. (C and D) Maximum intensity projection images and autopsy showing fracture of the skull base.

Figure 2.

Application of PMCT and PMCTA in actual cases. (A and B) Detection of aortic rupture using PMCT and PMCTA by cardiac puncture. (A) PMCT revealed displacement of the heart into the left costophrenic angle. (B) Considerable leakage of contrast media into the left thorax was revealed. Only a small amount of contrast media entered the ascending aorta. (C) Diagnosis of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation using PMCTA of isolated brain. 3D reconstruction of PMCTA reveals the irregular and tangled vessels supplied from 1 branch of the right anterior cerebral artery (white circle). (D) Diagnosis of acute pericardial tamponade caused by blunt trauma to the chest. PMCT showing through pericardial effusion (arrows) causing compression of the heart.

Figure 3.

Application of MDCT and 3D reconstruction in the determination of injury manner. (A and B) The original and 3D reconstruction of the surgically removed skull segments using MDCT. (C) Restore of the complete skull by assembling the reconstructions of the bone fragment (red part) and the postoperative skull (yellow part). (D) Injury manner analysis according to the pattern and distribution of bone fractures (orange lines).

Figure 4.

Determination of a newborn with lethal type IIosteogensis imperfect and other anomalies using PMCT and autopsy. (A) Anomalies in the head, face and extremities including a soft calvarium with fractures, a cleft lip, asymmetric ears, absence of a finger in right hand. (B) 3D reconstruction confirmed the fractured calvarium, a cleft palate and a cleft in the mandibular (circle), and absences of the left 12th rib, the right radial bone and first metacarpal bone (arrows).

Figure 5.

Finite element model of torso was used to simulate a lateral punch on the abdomen with an impact velocity of 6 m/s. Actual liver injury (A) was compared to the simulation results (B). The predicted region of greatest strain and location of injuries were indicated by high gradients of colour. Simulation results were highly consistent with the sites and severity of the actual liver injury.

Figure 6.

Finite element model of lower limb was used to simulate the scenarios involving the lower limbs being struck by bumper and rolled over by wheels. Von Mises stress distribution and injury patterns of lower limb at different time step in: (A) thigh under rolling over; (B) upper leg under direct impact; (C) lower thigh under direct impact. High gradients of colour indicated region of greatest stress and location of injuries were presented. Simulations of different scenarios resulted in different injury patterns.