Essentials of Forensic Imaging. a Text-Atlas

Description

Features

• Examines radiologic imaging as it applies to forensic autopsy and death investigation
• Offers an image-based practical approach to everyday forensic image interpretation, organized by cause of death
• Includes an extensive array of multiplanar and 3-D MDCT images, which are correlated with autopsy photographs to enhance the learning experience
• Discusses relevant basic forensic and radiologic principles of a range of causes of death
• Demonstrates emerging opportunities for use of forensic imaging

Summary

Forensic imaging with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and other cross-sectional imaging modalities is a rapidly evolving field. Understanding the pathological basis of disease and death is fundamental to the interpretation of radiologic images. Forming a bridge between these distinct disciplines, Essentials of Forensic Imaging: A Text-Atlas brings the long tradition of radiologic pathologic correlation to forensic radiology and autopsy.

Providing readers with a technical and interpretive foundation for applying modern cross-sectional imaging to forensic autopsy, the book integrates more than 300 color autopsy photographs with postmortem MDCT and radiography in a topical format. Organized by cause of death, the rich pictorial display of case material that accompanies the text establishes a contextual understanding. Readers can learn the diagnostic value of imaging applied to forensic autopsy by correlating specific causes of death with their respective forensic and radiologic principles. Causes of death covered in this practical volume include:

• Gunshot wounds
• Blunt force injury
• Fire and burn injury
• Blast injury
• Drowning and other deaths in water
• Suicide
• Natural causes
• Asphyxia
• Electrocution

As forensic imaging becomes more advanced, the possibilities for its use in autopsy continue to grow, as do the opportunities for application in related areas. In the final chapter, these expert authors also discuss the use of MDCT in the assessment of medical intervention, exhumation and second autopsy, and anthropology.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Forensic Imaging
Principles of Forensic Autopsy
Role of Radiology in Forensic Autopsy
Role of Imaging in the Determination of Cause, Mechanism, and Manner of Death

Integrating Imaging and Autopsy
Integrating Cross-Sectional Imaging into a Forensic Environment
Workflow
Advantages and Limitations
Technical Considerations
Radiography
C-Arm Fluoroscopy
Multidetector Computed Tomography
Angiography and Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ultrasound
Radiology Reporting

Postmortem Change and Decomposition
Forensic Principles
Autopsy Findings
Livor Mortis
Rigor Mortis
Algor Mortis
Decomposition
Radiologic Principles
Imaging Findings

Gunshot Wounds
Forensic Principles
Ballistics Autopsy Findings
Radiologic Principles
Entry and Exit Wounds
Wound Tracks
Penetrating Gunshot Wounds
Perforating Gunshot Wounds
Special Cases

Blunt Force Injury
Forensic Principles
Wound Classification
Autopsy Findings
Craniocerebral Injuries
Thoracoabdominal Injuries
Spine, Pelvic, and Extremity Injuries
Radiologic Principles
Goals of Imaging
Imaging Findings

Death from Fire and Burns
Forensic Principles
Classification and Prognosis of Burns
Autopsy Findings
Radiologic Principles
Goals of Imaging
Imaging Findings

Blast Injury
Forensic Principles
Explosion
Blast Injury Mechanisms
Autopsy Findings
Radiologic Principles
Goals of Imaging
Imaging Findings

Sharp Force Injury
Forensic Principles
Wound Classification
Autopsy Findings
Radiologic Principles
Goals of Imaging
Imaging Findings

Death by Drowning and Bodies Found in Water
Forensic Principles
Physiology of Drowning
Autopsy Findings
Radiologic Principles
Goals of Imaging
Imaging Findings
Differential Diagnosis

Suicide
Forensic Principles
Autopsy Findings
Radiologic Principles
Goals of Imaging
Imaging Findings

Natural Death
Forensic Principles
Autopsy Findings
Cardiovascular Disease
Intracranial and Cerebrovascular Disease
Respiratory Disease
Intra-Abdominal Hemorrhage
Radiologic Principles
Goals of Imaging
Imaging Findings

Other Causes of Death
Asphyxia
Forensic Principles
Autopsy Findings
Radiologic Principles
Imaging Findings
Electrocution
Child Abuse and Elder Abuse

Beyond Standard Autopsy
Assessment of Medical Intervention
Exhumation and Second Autopsy
Anthropology