Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2026.200672
Anika Kofod Petersen , Dorthe Arenholt Bindslev , Andrew Forgie , Palle Villesen , Line Staun Larsen
In forensic odontology disaster victim identification, it is crucial to assess the similarity between post mortem (PM) dentitions and ante mortem (AM) dental records from a database. To facilitate ranking AM records by likelihood of a match, the similarity evaluation must yield an intuitive, quantitative score. This study introduces a scoring scheme designed to effectively distinguish 3D dentition surfaces acquired by intraoral 3D photo scans. The scoring scheme was validated on an independent dataset. The scoring scheme presented utilizes two levels of surface similarity, spanning from local similarity of surface representations to regional similarity based on relative keypoint placement. The scoring scheme demonstrated exceptional discriminatory power on the validation data, achieving a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) area-under-the-curve (AUC) of 0.990 (95% CI 0.988 to 0.992). Implementing such a scoring system in disaster victim identification workflows, where AM 3D data can be procured, can provide an initial likelihood of matching, enabling forensic professionals to prioritize cases and allocate resources more efficiently based on objective measures of dental similarity.
在法医牙医学灾难受害者鉴定中，从数据库中评估死后（PM）牙齿和死前（AM）牙齿记录的相似性是至关重要的。为了便于根据匹配的可能性对AM记录进行排名，相似性评估必须产生直观的定量分数。本研究介绍了一种评分方案，旨在有效区分口腔内三维照片扫描获得的三维牙列表面。该评分方案在独立数据集上进行了验证。所提出的评分方案利用两个层次的表面相似度，从表面表示的局部相似度到基于相对关键点位置的区域相似度。该评分方案在验证数据上表现出卓越的区分能力，受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线下面积（AUC）为0.990 （95% CI 0.988至0.992）。在灾难受害者识别工作流程中实施这样的评分系统，可以获得AM 3D数据，可以提供初步的匹配可能性，使法医专业人员能够根据牙齿相似性的客观测量来优先处理案件并更有效地分配资源。
{"title":"Objective comparison of 3D dental scans in forensic odontology identification","authors":"Anika Kofod Petersen , Dorthe Arenholt Bindslev , Andrew Forgie , Palle Villesen , Line Staun Larsen","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200672","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200672","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In forensic odontology disaster victim identification, it is crucial to assess the similarity between <em>post mortem</em> (PM) dentitions and <em>ante mortem</em> (AM) dental records from a database. To facilitate ranking AM records by likelihood of a match, the similarity evaluation must yield an intuitive, quantitative score. This study introduces a scoring scheme designed to effectively distinguish 3D dentition surfaces acquired by intraoral 3D photo scans. The scoring scheme was validated on an independent dataset. The scoring scheme presented utilizes two levels of surface similarity, spanning from local similarity of surface representations to regional similarity based on relative keypoint placement. The scoring scheme demonstrated exceptional discriminatory power on the validation data, achieving a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) area-under-the-curve (AUC) of 0.990 (95% CI 0.988 to 0.992). Implementing such a scoring system in disaster victim identification workflows, where AM 3D data can be procured, can provide an initial likelihood of matching, enabling forensic professionals to prioritize cases and allocate resources more efficiently based on objective measures of dental similarity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 200672"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2026.200675
Shivani Singh, Sonal Vahanwala, Kaustubh P Sansare, Pooja Malu
Background & Aim
Age estimation is an important component of individual identification, but age determination in adults has been an arena of constant struggle. The present study was conducted with the aim to identify the reliability and applicability of condylar cortication level as a marker in age estimation, in living individuals via CBCT.
Materials & methods
Completely and clearly visible bilateral condyles of 140 scans, retrieved from the department archives, were examined for level of cortication on the sagittal section using CS3D imaging software. Each condyle was categorised as per Bayrak et al. which determines density difference between cortical bone adjacent to condyle and the other areas around the condyle and consists of three types: Type I- No cortication observed on the condyle Type II- The bone on the condylar surface appears at a lower density than the structures around the condyle Type III- The surface of the condyle appears at a higher or similar density than the surrounding cortical.
Results
140 CBCT scans with patients in the age range of 20-59 were included of which 76 were females and 64 males. Maximum number of subjects had Type III cortication bilaterally while only 3 patients show Type I condylar cortication bilaterally, this finding indicates a trend in cortication level among the population, in accordance with previous literature.
Conclusion
Assessment of level of condylar cortication may not be a reliable indicator of age in adults. Applicability of this method is still premature and studies with larger sample size should be considered.
{"title":"Relevance of condylar cortication in age estimation- a retrospective study","authors":"Shivani Singh, Sonal Vahanwala, Kaustubh P Sansare, Pooja Malu","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200675","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200675","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background & Aim</h3><div>Age estimation is an important component of individual identification, but age determination in adults has been an arena of constant struggle. The present study was conducted with the aim to identify the reliability and applicability of condylar cortication level as a marker in age estimation, in living individuals via CBCT.</div></div><div><h3>Materials & methods</h3><div>Completely and clearly visible bilateral condyles of 140 scans, retrieved from the department archives, were examined for level of cortication on the sagittal section using CS3D imaging software. Each condyle was categorised as per Bayrak et al. which determines density difference between cortical bone adjacent to condyle and the other areas around the condyle and consists of three types: Type I- No cortication observed on the condyle Type II- The bone on the condylar surface appears at a lower density than the structures around the condyle Type III- The surface of the condyle appears at a higher or similar density than the surrounding cortical.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>140 CBCT scans with patients in the age range of 20-59 were included of which 76 were females and 64 males. Maximum number of subjects had Type III cortication bilaterally while only 3 patients show Type I condylar cortication bilaterally, this finding indicates a trend in cortication level among the population, in accordance with previous literature.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Assessment of level of condylar cortication may not be a reliable indicator of age in adults. Applicability of this method is still premature and studies with larger sample size should be considered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 200675"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-24DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2025.200660
Merry Pal Kaur Chawla , Satinder Pal Singh , Akash Deep Aggarwal
Acute uterine inversion is a rare but potentially life-threatening obstetric complication characterized by the collapse of the uterine fundus into the endometrial cavity, sometimes extending through the cervix or vaginal canal. Although the exact etiology remains uncertain, several risk factors have been identified. Maternal mortality is extremely high unless the condition is recognized and corrected. We report a fatal case of acute uterine inversion in a primigravida woman following a normal vaginal delivery at a private hospital. The patient developed acute complications postpartum and died within h. A medico-legal postmortem revealed complete inversion of the uterine fundus, with hemorrhagic shock as the cause of death. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and management of uterine inversion to prevent maternal mortality.
{"title":"Acute uterine inversion leading to maternal death: A case report based on autopsy examination","authors":"Merry Pal Kaur Chawla , Satinder Pal Singh , Akash Deep Aggarwal","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200660","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200660","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Acute uterine inversion is a rare but potentially life-threatening obstetric complication characterized by the collapse of the uterine fundus into the endometrial cavity, sometimes extending through the cervix or vaginal canal. Although the exact etiology remains uncertain, several risk factors have been identified. Maternal mortality is extremely high unless the condition is recognized and corrected. We report a fatal case of acute uterine inversion in a primigravida woman following a normal vaginal delivery at a private hospital. The patient developed acute complications postpartum and died within h. A medico-legal postmortem revealed complete inversion of the uterine fundus, with hemorrhagic shock as the cause of death. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and management of uterine inversion to prevent maternal mortality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 200660"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2025.200666
Maiko Yoshida , Go Inokuchi , Fumiko Chiba , Yohsuke Makino , Hirotaro Iwase
A male patient in his 50 s who was known to have epilepsy and who was taking carbamazepine and phenobarbital was found dead in the prone position on the floor of the entrance to his home. Postmortem computed tomography and autopsy revealed bilateral, symmetric comminuted fractures at the anterior humeral heads and a lumbar compression fracture with haemorrhage. The deceased had poor nutritional status for his age and had chicken fat clots in the heart blood. Multiple black petechiae, compatible with Wischnewski spots, were detected on the gastric mucosa. The direct cause of death was hypothermia. The deceased likely had difficulty escaping the cold due to his fractures, which were attributed to a generalized epileptic seizure. We present a forensic case in which sustained generalized convulsive seizures were suspected to cause fractures, resulting in death due to hypothermia. This case offers a unique opportunity to study the death process by analysing the fracture pattern, mechanism, and relationship with convulsions.
{"title":"A case of death from hypothermia due to bilateral symmetric bone fractures attributed to an epileptic seizure","authors":"Maiko Yoshida , Go Inokuchi , Fumiko Chiba , Yohsuke Makino , Hirotaro Iwase","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200666","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200666","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A male patient in his 50 s who was known to have epilepsy and who was taking carbamazepine and phenobarbital was found dead in the prone position on the floor of the entrance to his home. Postmortem computed tomography and autopsy revealed bilateral, symmetric comminuted fractures at the anterior humeral heads and a lumbar compression fracture with haemorrhage. The deceased had poor nutritional status for his age and had chicken fat clots in the heart blood. Multiple black petechiae, compatible with Wischnewski spots, were detected on the gastric mucosa. The direct cause of death was hypothermia. The deceased likely had difficulty escaping the cold due to his fractures, which were attributed to a generalized epileptic seizure. We present a forensic case in which sustained generalized convulsive seizures were suspected to cause fractures, resulting in death due to hypothermia. This case offers a unique opportunity to study the death process by analysing the fracture pattern, mechanism, and relationship with convulsions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 200666"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2025.200663
Anna Laura Santunione , Jessika Camatti , Filippo Baldoni , Enrico Silingardi , Pietro Torricelli , Rossana Cecchi
The use of Post-Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) has been proposed to investigate victims of mass fatalities. This study presents forensic investigations conducted on victims of a mass disaster.
In May 2012, an earthquake occurred in the province of Modena (Italy). On that occasion, 12 workers died and were found lifeless under the rubble of the industries in which they worked. All corpses were identified at the scene of the natural accident. The Prosecutor asked the forensic pathologist to perform only an external examination to identify the cause and manner of death. The forensic pathologist obtained permission to also perform PMCT to produce additional medico-legal evidence. The Prosecutor would request a judicial autopsy if the previous investigations had proved insufficient to define the cause and manner of death.
External examination revealed the presence of bone fractures, enabling localization of the injuries by anatomical region (skull, thorax, pelvis, upper extremities, lower extremities). PMCT was beneficial in identifying the exact nature and extent of skeletal injuries and direct (e.g., shattered organ) and indirect (e.g., hemoperitoneum without obvious organ laceration) evidence of organ injury. In two cases, PMCT findings were essential to perfecting the diagnosis of the cause of death.
Our experience supports the view that, in cases of major natural disasters, cause and manner of death may be determined with a reasonable degree of medical certainty thanks to circumstantial elements, external examination, and PMCT findings.
{"title":"Forensic imaging in mass disasters: results of the use of post-mortem computed tomography in earthquake victims","authors":"Anna Laura Santunione , Jessika Camatti , Filippo Baldoni , Enrico Silingardi , Pietro Torricelli , Rossana Cecchi","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200663","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200663","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of Post-Mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) has been proposed to investigate victims of mass fatalities. This study presents forensic investigations conducted on victims of a mass disaster.</div><div>In May 2012, an earthquake occurred in the province of Modena (Italy). On that occasion, 12 workers died and were found lifeless under the rubble of the industries in which they worked. All corpses were identified at the scene of the natural accident. The Prosecutor asked the forensic pathologist to perform only an external examination to identify the cause and manner of death. The forensic pathologist obtained permission to also perform PMCT to produce additional medico-legal evidence. The Prosecutor would request a judicial autopsy if the previous investigations had proved insufficient to define the cause and manner of death.</div><div>External examination revealed the presence of bone fractures, enabling localization of the injuries by anatomical region (skull, thorax, pelvis, upper extremities, lower extremities). PMCT was beneficial in identifying the exact nature and extent of skeletal injuries and direct (e.g., shattered organ) and indirect (e.g., hemoperitoneum without obvious organ laceration) evidence of organ injury. In two cases, PMCT findings were essential to perfecting the diagnosis of the cause of death.</div><div>Our experience supports the view that, in cases of major natural disasters, cause and manner of death may be determined with a reasonable degree of medical certainty thanks to circumstantial elements, external examination, and PMCT findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 200663"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-26DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2025.200668
Kelly K , England L , Viner M
Introduction Post-mortem CT (PMCT) is increasingly used in coronial death investigations. This service evaluation assesses the new PMCT service at the East London Forensic Centre (ELFC), focusing on turnaround times, conversion rates to invasive post mortems, and radiology-pathology concordance. The goal is to measure key performance indicators and guide future service development. Methods Data from 356 cases were retrospectively reviewed using emails, Civica, and a PMCT log. Information on scan and report timings, conversion rates, and radiology-pathology agreement was analysed. The impact of contrast-enhanced PMCT on workflow was also assessed. Timing data were grouped into September–January, with January separated due to holiday-related delays. Forensic and non-East London cases were excluded. Results Of the 356 cases, 35% underwent angiography. Unenhanced scans averaged just under 13 min; angiography scans took nearly 30 min. 15% required further invasive examination. Among these, nearly 80% showed at least partial radiology pathology concordance, with 6 fully concordant cases. The average turnaround from start to cause of death determination was 4.2 days. Conclusion PMCT is an effective alternative to traditional post-mortems, though 15% of cases still required invasive follow-up. Most showed good radiology-pathology agreement. Delays in January highlight operational challenges. ELFC’s turnaround aligns with other services, affirming PMCT’s feasibility in coronial settings. Continuous refinement of case selection is needed to reduce conversion rates. Further research should explore PMCT failure rates and compare outcomes with traditional post-mortems. Implications for practice The service evaluation supports a local authority managed service which compares to existing, successful models elsewhere in the country
{"title":"Post-Mortem CT for coronial death investigation: A local authority managed service evaluation","authors":"Kelly K , England L , Viner M","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200668","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200668","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Introduction Post-mortem CT (PMCT) is increasingly used in coronial death investigations. This service evaluation assesses the new PMCT service at the East London Forensic Centre (ELFC), focusing on turnaround times, conversion rates to invasive post mortems, and radiology-pathology concordance. The goal is to measure key performance indicators and guide future service development. Methods Data from 356 cases were retrospectively reviewed using emails, Civica, and a PMCT log. Information on scan and report timings, conversion rates, and radiology-pathology agreement was analysed. The impact of contrast-enhanced PMCT on workflow was also assessed. Timing data were grouped into September–January, with January separated due to holiday-related delays. Forensic and non-East London cases were excluded. Results Of the 356 cases, 35% underwent angiography. Unenhanced scans averaged just under 13 min; angiography scans took nearly 30 min. 15% required further invasive examination. Among these, nearly 80% showed at least partial radiology pathology concordance, with 6 fully concordant cases. The average turnaround from start to cause of death determination was 4.2 days. Conclusion PMCT is an effective alternative to traditional post-mortems, though 15% of cases still required invasive follow-up. Most showed good radiology-pathology agreement. Delays in January highlight operational challenges. ELFC’s turnaround aligns with other services, affirming PMCT’s feasibility in coronial settings. Continuous refinement of case selection is needed to reduce conversion rates. Further research should explore PMCT failure rates and compare outcomes with traditional post-mortems. Implications for practice The service evaluation supports a local authority managed service which compares to existing, successful models elsewhere in the country</div></div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 200668"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-11DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2026.200673
Despina Moissidou , Maria Letizia Pistoia , Antonietta Ciccozzi , Veronica Forte , Cinzia Mercurio , Luca Ventura
The investigation of mammary glands in mummies has been largely overlooked due to preservation challenges. Postmortem alterations, including fat hydrolysis, lead to significant variability in breast morphology, sometimes making them unidentifiable. To date, only a handful of mummified breast pathologies have been reported, with histological confirmation available in only a few cases. Breast cancer has never been conclusively identified in mummified remains, largely due to the absence of histological evidence. In this study, we applied modern radiological and histopathological techniques to a partially mummified 20th-century female body discovered in a burial chamber in Sermoneta, Italy. The preserved left breast was examined using digital mammography, which revealed scattered microcalcifications resembling those seen in epithelial proliferative lesions. Histological analysis demonstrated the presence of fibrous stroma, fungal spores, arthropod fragments, and pollen grains, all of which were identified as taphonomic alterations rather than indicators of disease. The microcalcifications observed in mammography corresponded to calcium deposits confirmed by von Kossa staining, further supporting a postmortem origin. Our findings highlight the importance of histology as a crucial diagnostic tool in paleopathological investigations, particularly for differentiating true pathological changes from taphonomic artifacts, and avoid misinterpretations. The application of modern diagnostic imaging, coupled with histopathological validation, represents a promising approach for future studies on mummified breast tissue and ancient disease diagnostics.
{"title":"Microcalcifications in a mummified breast. A “paleo-senologic” study of a 20th century female mummy","authors":"Despina Moissidou , Maria Letizia Pistoia , Antonietta Ciccozzi , Veronica Forte , Cinzia Mercurio , Luca Ventura","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200673","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200673","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The investigation of mammary glands in mummies has been largely overlooked due to preservation challenges. Postmortem alterations, including fat hydrolysis, lead to significant variability in breast morphology, sometimes making them unidentifiable. To date, only a handful of mummified breast pathologies have been reported, with histological confirmation available in only a few cases. Breast cancer has never been conclusively identified in mummified remains, largely due to the absence of histological evidence. In this study, we applied modern radiological and histopathological techniques to a partially mummified 20th-century female body discovered in a burial chamber in Sermoneta, Italy. The preserved left breast was examined using digital mammography, which revealed scattered microcalcifications resembling those seen in epithelial proliferative lesions. Histological analysis demonstrated the presence of fibrous stroma, fungal spores, arthropod fragments, and pollen grains, all of which were identified as taphonomic alterations rather than indicators of disease. The microcalcifications observed in mammography corresponded to calcium deposits confirmed by von Kossa staining, further supporting a postmortem origin. Our findings highlight the importance of histology as a crucial diagnostic tool in paleopathological investigations, particularly for differentiating true pathological changes from taphonomic artifacts, and avoid misinterpretations. The application of modern diagnostic imaging, coupled with histopathological validation, represents a promising approach for future studies on mummified breast tissue and ancient disease diagnostics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 200673"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2025.200658
Edel Doyle, Fox Marttinen, Dr. Charlotte Primeau, Courtney Steels
The use of forensic imaging has increased over the past decade and includes radiography, dental radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI and more recently, while still rarely used; micro-CT. Forensic imaging includes any diagnostic imaging modality used to answer a question of law, for both living as well as deceased individuals [1–3,7]. Imaging of the living is for purposes such as documenting trauma for cases such as assault and abuse, age assessment of juveniles and narcotic packing detection [7,10]. Post mortem imaging involves imaging of the deceased, most commonly used to understand circumstances surrounding death, establish the cause of death or confirm identification. As images may form part of evidence in a forensic case, imaging should be acquired by appropriately educated and trained practitioners who understand both the image acquisition process, as well as forensic practice, including all applicable legislation and guidelines in that jurisdiction [3]. For Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) purposes, the person undertaking the imaging procedures (i.e. the forensic imaging practitioner) should ideally be a forensic or DVI trained radiography specialist, or at least have appropriate training [6,8]. This position statement should be read in conjunction with the IAFR Guidelines for best practice: Principles for radiographers and imaging practitioners providing forensic imaging services [3].
{"title":"Joint ISFRI/IAFR position statement-IMAGE Acquisition","authors":"Edel Doyle, Fox Marttinen, Dr. Charlotte Primeau, Courtney Steels","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200658","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200658","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of forensic imaging has increased over the past decade and includes radiography, dental radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI and more recently, while still rarely used; micro-CT. Forensic imaging includes any diagnostic imaging modality used to answer a question of law, for both living as well as deceased individuals [1–3,7]. Imaging of the living is for purposes such as documenting trauma for cases such as assault and abuse, age assessment of juveniles and narcotic packing detection [7,10]. Post mortem imaging involves imaging of the deceased, most commonly used to understand circumstances surrounding death, establish the cause of death or confirm identification. As images may form part of evidence in a forensic case, imaging should be acquired by appropriately educated and trained practitioners who understand both the image acquisition process, as well as forensic practice, including all applicable legislation and guidelines in that jurisdiction [3]. For Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) purposes, the person undertaking the imaging procedures (i.e. the forensic imaging practitioner) should ideally be a forensic or DVI trained radiography specialist, or at least have appropriate training [6,8]. This position statement should be read in conjunction with the IAFR Guidelines for best practice: Principles for radiographers and imaging practitioners providing forensic imaging services [3].</div></div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 200658"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145692653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-08-30DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2025.200648
Elena Giovannini , Guido Pelletti , Luigi Friio , Mattia Strangi , Paolo Fais , Susi Pelotti
Differentiating between primary impact injuries and those caused by a run-over event in motorcycle accidents can be challenging due to the complexity of trauma mechanisms and the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria. This report presents the case of a 57-year-old motorcyclist found deceased following a collision, with initial suspicions raised by surveillance footage suggesting the possibility of a run-over by a passing car. A comprehensive forensic investigation was conducted, including autopsy, post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT), and kinematic analysis, to determine the cause of death and reconstruct the accident dynamics.
The PMCT played a pivotal role in accurately documenting complex injury patterns, such as bilateral anterior-posterior fractures of the skull, ribs, and pelvis, which initially suggested a crushing mechanism. However, integration with kinematic findings and circumstantial evidence excluded the involvement of the suspected car. Instead, it was determined that the injuries resulted from compression between the overturned motorcycle and a tree during the collision.
This case highlights the indispensable value of PMCT in forensic investigations, particularly in identifying subtle fracture patterns and enhancing injury interpretation. Despite the sensitivity and applicability of PMCT in traffic accidents, there is limited data regarding the interpretation of differential diagnoses between crush injuries and blunt-force impacts in motorcyclists. The systematic use of PMCT, combined with interdisciplinary collaboration between forensic pathologists, radiologists, and kinematic experts, represents a significant advancement in reconstructing complex traffic accidents and reducing uncertainty in medico-legal evaluations.
{"title":"Self-contained crash or run-over by a vehicle? Integrating post-mortem CT and kinematic analysis to reconstruct motorcycle accident dynamics","authors":"Elena Giovannini , Guido Pelletti , Luigi Friio , Mattia Strangi , Paolo Fais , Susi Pelotti","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200648","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200648","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Differentiating between primary impact injuries and those caused by a run-over event in motorcycle accidents can be challenging due to the complexity of trauma mechanisms and the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria. This report presents the case of a 57-year-old motorcyclist found deceased following a collision, with initial suspicions raised by surveillance footage suggesting the possibility of a run-over by a passing car. A comprehensive forensic investigation was conducted, including autopsy, post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT), and kinematic analysis, to determine the cause of death and reconstruct the accident dynamics.</div><div>The PMCT played a pivotal role in accurately documenting complex injury patterns, such as bilateral anterior-posterior fractures of the skull, ribs, and pelvis, which initially suggested a crushing mechanism. However, integration with kinematic findings and circumstantial evidence excluded the involvement of the suspected car. Instead, it was determined that the injuries resulted from compression between the overturned motorcycle and a tree during the collision.</div><div>This case highlights the indispensable value of PMCT in forensic investigations, particularly in identifying subtle fracture patterns and enhancing injury interpretation. Despite the sensitivity and applicability of PMCT in traffic accidents, there is limited data regarding the interpretation of differential diagnoses between crush injuries and blunt-force impacts in motorcyclists. The systematic use of PMCT, combined with interdisciplinary collaboration between forensic pathologists, radiologists, and kinematic experts, represents a significant advancement in reconstructing complex traffic accidents and reducing uncertainty in medico-legal evaluations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"43 ","pages":"Article 200648"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145005241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-23DOI: 10.1016/j.fri.2025.200659
Dominik Černý, Petra Urbanová
This study investigates the potential of using three-dimensional digital models of the human body, captured with a [TC]² whole-body scanner, to assess visual traits for forensic personal identification. The study sample contained 309 volunteers (164 males, 145 females). Fifteen visual traits were assessed (13 unisex and one sex-specific per sex).
Intra-observer error was quantified to assess repeatability. Relationships between traits and participants were examined using correspondence analysis. Differences between individuals were expressed as Hamming distances, evaluated by ROC analysis for identification performance (AUC, sensitivity, specificity). Closest-match analysis was used to test rank-1 identification accuracy.
The intra-observer error revealed moderate inconsistencies for three traits: prominence of scapulae (κ = 0.42), chest shape (κ = 0.40), and muscle development (κ = 0.43). Correspondence analysis explained 90 % of total variance, with the first three axes accounting for 8.1 %, 5.6 %, and 4.8 %, reflecting variation in muscle development and shoulder morphology. ROC analysis demonstrated suitable classification accuracy (AUC = 0.919). Males showed higher accuracy (AUC = 0.937) than females (AUC = 0.901). Closest-match analysis showed that 47.7 % of individuals were correctly identified at rank 1, with better results for females (48.3 %) than males (41.2 %).
{"title":"Forensic applications of 3D whole-body scans: Visual evaluation","authors":"Dominik Černý, Petra Urbanová","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200659","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2025.200659","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the potential of using three-dimensional digital models of the human body, captured with a [TC]² whole-body scanner, to assess visual traits for forensic personal identification. The study sample contained 309 volunteers (164 males, 145 females). Fifteen visual traits were assessed (13 unisex and one sex-specific per sex).</div><div>Intra-observer error was quantified to assess repeatability. Relationships between traits and participants were examined using correspondence analysis. Differences between individuals were expressed as Hamming distances, evaluated by ROC analysis for identification performance (AUC, sensitivity, specificity). Closest-match analysis was used to test rank-1 identification accuracy.</div><div>The intra-observer error revealed moderate inconsistencies for three traits: prominence of scapulae (κ = 0.42), chest shape (κ = 0.40), and muscle development (κ = 0.43). Correspondence analysis explained 90 % of total variance, with the first three axes accounting for 8.1 %, 5.6 %, and 4.8 %, reflecting variation in muscle development and shoulder morphology. ROC analysis demonstrated suitable classification accuracy (AUC = 0.919). Males showed higher accuracy (AUC = 0.937) than females (AUC = 0.901). Closest-match analysis showed that 47.7 % of individuals were correctly identified at rank 1, with better results for females (48.3 %) than males (41.2 %).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"43 ","pages":"Article 200659"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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