Essentials of Forensic Imaging: A Text-Atlas / Edition 1

by Angela D. Levy, H. Theodore Harcke, Jr.

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420091113
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	12/20/2010
Pages:	282
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.80(d)

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

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

The work is very well done and makes a significant contribution to the literature on the topic … . [It] addresses, and is applicable to, the whole range of forensic autopsies. The printing and illustration quality is outstanding.
—Joel Lichtenstein, M.D., University of Washington

As the number of traditional autopsies continues to decline and as imaging technology becomes ever more sophisticated, radiological procedures, particularly multi-detector computed tomography, are being adapted for death investigation. These methods have demonstrated importance for detection and documentation of anatomic and pathologic alterations in the setting of un-natural death. … The book is unusually well illustrated through correlation of photographs and radiological images of the highest quality. … The book is certain to find extended use in training programs and daily death investigation and documentation.
—William A. Murphy, Jr., M.D., Professor of Radiology and John S. Dunn, Sr. Distinguished Chair in Diagnostic Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

I believe that the book will be useful for practicing forensic pathologists. The numerous examples covering a wide variety of forensic cases … illustrate the value of imaging techniques in medicolegal death investigation.
—Dr. John Butts, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Editorial Reviews

"Essentials of Forensic Imaging far surpasses the few previous texts on the topic, both as a reference and as an atlas. … I highly recommend the addition of Essentials of Forensic Imaging to the library of every forensic practice, and the text should become a standard reference for radiologists interested in death investigation."
—James L. Caruso, Journal of Forensic Sciences, September 2011

"The work is very well done and makes a significant contribution to the literature on the topic … . [It] addresses, and is applicable to, the whole range of forensic autopsies. The printing and illustration quality is outstanding."
—Joel Lichtenstein, M.D., University of Washington

"As the number of traditional autopsies continues to decline and as imaging technology becomes ever more sophisticated, radiological procedures, particularly multi-detector computed tomography, are being adapted for death investigation. These methods have demonstrated importance for detection and documentation of anatomic and pathologic alterations in the setting of un-natural death. … The book is unusually well illustrated through correlation of photographs and radiological images of the highest quality. … The book is certain to find extended use in training programs and daily death investigation and documentation."
—William A. Murphy, Jr., M.D., Professor of Radiology and John S. Dunn, Sr. Distinguished Chair in Diagnostic Imaging, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

"I believe that the book will be useful for practicing forensic pathologists. The numerous examples covering a wide variety of forensic cases … illustrate the value of imaging techniques in medicolegal death investigation."
—Dr. John Butts, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

From the Publisher