Summer J Decker1, Maria Braileanu2, Courtney Dey3, Leon Lenchik4, Michael Pickup5, Jason Powell6, Maria Tucker7, Linda Probyn8. 1. Department of Radiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 2 Tampa General Circle, STC7033, Tampa, FL 33606. Electronic address: sdecker@health.usf.edu. 2. Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. 3. Department of Radiology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia. 4. Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 5. Ontario Forensic Pathology Service and Office of the Chief Coroner, Forensic Services and Coroner's Complex, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 6. Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina. 7. Department of Radiology, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania. 8. Department of Radiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: Forensic radiology is a relatively unknown subspecialty which is becoming increasingly more important. The field incorporates antemortem and postmortem imaging for the detection and documentation of various pathologies for medicolegal purposes. Postmortem imaging is increasingly used in conjunction with the traditional autopsy in a process called a "virtual" autopsy. Radiography has been a staple of forensic investigations for over a century, first used in 1896. Advanced imaging techniques such as postmortem computed tomography and postmortem magnetic resonance imaging have only recently gained acceptance in the forensic science community. Postmortem computed tomography and postmortem magnetic resonance imaging methods are now widely used in some parts of the world, while other countries including the United States have been slower to adopt these methods into their daily practice. Advanced forensic imaging is increasingly used in the courts where juries have responded positively to such presentation of forensic data. For these reasons, advanced postmortem imaging is becoming a regular part of forensic investigations. The increase in the use of forensic imaging presents a unique opportunity for radiologists to collaborate with pathologists and law enforcement officials. This paper provides an overview of forensic radiology and identifies potential challenges and opportunities.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: Forensic radiology is a relatively unknown subspecialty which is becoming increasingly more important. The field incorporates antemortem and postmortem imaging for the detection and documentation of various pathologies for medicolegal purposes. Postmortem imaging is increasingly used in conjunction with the traditional autopsy in a process called a "virtual" autopsy. Radiography has been a staple of forensic investigations for over a century, first used in 1896. Advanced imaging techniques such as postmortem computed tomography and postmortem magnetic resonance imaging have only recently gained acceptance in the forensic science community. Postmortem computed tomography and postmortem magnetic resonance imaging methods are now widely used in some parts of the world, while other countries including the United States have been slower to adopt these methods into their daily practice. Advanced forensic imaging is increasingly used in the courts where juries have responded positively to such presentation of forensic data. For these reasons, advanced postmortem imaging is becoming a regular part of forensic investigations. The increase in the use of forensic imaging presents a unique opportunity for radiologists to collaborate with pathologists and law enforcement officials. This paper provides an overview of forensic radiology and identifies potential challenges and opportunities.