[Case of positive identification by digital superimposed comparison between photograph of the thoracic vertebrae front and thorax roentgenograph].

Abstract

We reported an autopsy case in which an antemortem thorax roentgenograph and a postmortem photograph of thoracic vertebrae front were available for digital superimposed comparison of contour of the vertebral column and provided a positive identification by the characteristic osteophyte formation. In the elderly, the thorax roentgenograph is often stored in medical institution. Osteophyte formation of the vertebral column has individual features with the aging and formed characteristic profiles of the vertebral column. Photographing of a cadaver's thoracic vertebrae front after removing of the thoracic and abdominal organ should be carried out to make a material for future comparison examination in personal identification.