ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To study the application value of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and 3D reconstruction in biomechanical analysis of traffic accidents in forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#Based on a real case, the tomoscan images were obtained from a corpse by MSCT scanning. The 3D images were reconstructed. The biomechanic process of injury manners of impacting, rolling and crushing in traffic accidents was analyzed together with autopsy, vehicle inspection, etc. The MSCT results were compared with the autopsy results.@*RESULTS@#Some characters in situ including the part of fracture on different site that suffered by force from different directions, trends of fracture line, and status of smash inner bones were obtained trough MSCT and 3D reconstruction. Some details like fracture were even better than those from autopsy.@*CONCLUSION@#MSCT and 3D reconstruction have some advantages such as in situ reconstruction, easily controlled image and fully conserved evidence. It may be a supplementary method and have a directive function for the biomechanical analysis of traffic accidents.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Accidents, Traffic , Automobiles , Autopsy/methods , Biomechanical Phenomena , Bone and Bones/injuries , Craniocerebral Trauma/pathology , Forensic Pathology , Fractures, Bone/diagnostic imaging , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Tomography, Spiral Computed/methods , Wounds and Injuries/pathologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To explore the application of imaging techniques in determining the death cause and injury manner.@*METHODS@#One case due to high fall was fully examined using multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), 3-D imaging creation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The systemic and detailed autopsy was subsequently performed to compare with the results from imaging studies. The advantages and disadvantages of autopsy and imaging studies were then analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Most of the important information such as trauma, fracture and hemorrhage could be obtained by imaging techniques. Furthermore, imaging methods can predict injuries in internal body before autopsy and be minimal or non-invasive to the cadaver. However, the imaging techniques probably also can not find some details in comparison to autopsy in forensic practice and need to improve in their future application.@*CONCLUSION@#Application of imaging techniques can be used as the guidance and complimentary for the forensic autopsy in the identification of injury manner. In addition, the application can even be used to replace autopsy in some special circumstances.