Forensic Imaging最新文献

{"title":"Bridging Radiology and Forensic Pathology: Implementation and Outcomes of Postmortem CT","authors":"Kalpana Kanal , David Zamora , J Matthew Lacy , Jonathan Medverd","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200762","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200762","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Problem</h3><div>In the United States, forensic radiology remains a relatively unfamiliar field to many radiologists, even though it is widely used internationally to support law enforcement and judicial investigations. With advances in CT technology, forensic imaging has continued to evolve, and many institutions around the world now routinely perform postmortem CT (PMCT) as part of death investigations. However, adoption in the U.S. has been inconsistent, limited by factors such as scanner access and integration challenges with traditional autopsy workflows. Compounding the issue, the field of forensic pathology is experiencing a national shortage of pathologists, creating a workforce crisis that highlights the need for innovative solutions.</div></div><div>In the United States, forensic radiology remains a relatively unfamiliar field to many radiologists, even though it is widely used internationally to support law enforcement and judicial investigations. With advances in CT technology, forensic imaging has continued to evolve, and many institutions around the world now routinely perform postmortem CT (PMCT) as part of death investigations. However, adoption in the U.S. has been inconsistent, limited by factors such as scanner access and integration challenges with traditional autopsy workflows. Compounding the issue, the field of forensic pathology is experiencing a national shortage of pathologists, creating a workforce crisis that highlights the need for innovative solutions.</div><div><h3>Innovation</h3><div>We aim to foster inter-disciplinary collaborative relationships to leverage Radiology's strengths with Pathology's needs to improve confidence in cause/manner of death determination more efficiently. At the University of Washington, we have partnered with the King County Medical Examiner’s Office to evaluate the impact of incorporating PMCT into death investigations. Together, we acquired a dedicated CT scanner, developed standardized PMCT protocols, and implemented a triage approach to determine when imaging findings alone are sufficient to establish the cause of death—potentially eliminating the need for a full autopsy.</div></div><div>We aim to foster inter-disciplinary collaborative relationships to leverage Radiology's strengths with Pathology's needs to improve confidence in cause/manner of death determination more efficiently. At the University of Washington, we have partnered with the King County Medical Examiner’s Office to evaluate the impact of incorporating PMCT into death investigations. Together, we acquired a dedicated CT scanner, developed standardized PMCT protocols, and implemented a triage approach to determine when imaging findings alone are sufficient to establish the cause of death—potentially eliminating the need for a full autopsy.</div><div><h3>Impact</h3><div>In the pilot phase, 184 cadavers were scanned using PMCT. These cases represented a range of manners of death—including accidents, homicides, tr","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 200762"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147952216","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}

{"title":"Gestational age estimation at foetal death: an overview of methods used by forensic specialists worldwide","authors":"Valerie Niehe , Sam Moes , Sophie Visser , Bartholomeus GH Latten , Rick R van Rijn , Bernadette S de Bakker","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Optimal determination of gestational age (GA) at foetal death is crucial in forensic contexts, particularly near the threshold of 24 weeks. Under Dutch law a foetus is considered viable at a GA of 24 weeks, meaning that inflicted or negligent death after that point is a criminal offence [1]. Currently, methods used by forensic specialists to estimate GA differ and a standardized guideline does not exist.</div></div><div>Optimal determination of gestational age (GA) at foetal death is crucial in forensic contexts, particularly near the threshold of 24 weeks. Under Dutch law a foetus is considered viable at a GA of 24 weeks, meaning that inflicted or negligent death after that point is a criminal offence [1]. Currently, methods used by forensic specialists to estimate GA differ and a standardized guideline does not exist.</div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aims to provide an overview of the methods used by forensic specialists to estimate GA of foetal remains, along with the literature sources they rely on.</div></div><div>This study aims to provide an overview of the methods used by forensic specialists to estimate GA of foetal remains, along with the literature sources they rely on.</div><div><h3>Material and Methods</h3><div>An online survey was created using Qualtrics, distributed via email and at the 2023 International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging conference. The survey collected information on participants’ professional background, years of experience, institutional affiliation, methods used for GA estimation, and reference literature.</div></div><div>An online survey was created using Qualtrics, distributed via email and at the 2023 International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging conference. The survey collected information on participants’ professional background, years of experience, institutional affiliation, methods used for GA estimation, and reference literature.</div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The survey was completed by fifty participants, comprising anthropologists, pathologists, and radiologists, with experience ranging from 0-5 years to over 20 years, primarily from academic hospital backgrounds. Reported methods for GA estimation included e.g. crown heel length (CHL), crown rump length (CRL), foot length (FL), hand length (HL), head circumference (HC) or biparietal diameter (BPD), long bone length (LBL). Both imaging techniques (such as (micro-)CT, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray) and non-imaging methods (e.g. caliper or measuring tape) were used.</div></div><div>The survey was completed by fifty participants, comprising anthropologists, pathologists, and radiologists, with experience ranging from 0-5 years to over 20 years, primarily from academic hospital backgrounds. Reported methods for GA estimation included e.g. crown heel length (CHL), crown rump length (CRL), foot length (FL), hand length (HL), head circumference (HC) or biparietal diameter (BPD), long bone length (LBL). B","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 200764"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147952217","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}

{"title":"pedPMCTA Technical feasibility and emerging forensic insights from a 30-case study","authors":"Jessica Vanhaebost , Bastien Trächsel , Florian T Fischer , Silke Grabherr , Gina Maria Bruch","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200767","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200767","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background & Objectives</h3><div>Postmortem CT angiography (PMCTA) is increasingly used in forensic imaging but remains underexplored in pediatric populations. This study assesses the feasibility of pediatric PMCTA (pedPMCTA) using a weight-adapted manual protocol with a lipophilic contrast agent and explores its forensic application, particularly for investigating abusive head trauma.</div></div><div>Postmortem CT angiography (PMCTA) is increasingly used in forensic imaging but remains underexplored in pediatric populations. This study assesses the feasibility of pediatric PMCTA (pedPMCTA) using a weight-adapted manual protocol with a lipophilic contrast agent and explores its forensic application, particularly for investigating abusive head trauma.</div><div><h3>Materials & Methods</h3><div>Thirty pediatric cases (0–3.6 years/ 2.2–25.4 kg) underwent PMCTA prior to autopsy. A biphasic protocol (arterial and venous) was applied using Angiofil™ diluted in rapeseed oil or paraffinum perliquidum. Vascular access included femoral, intraosseous, umbilical and peripheral routes. Vascular filling was assessed using a semiquantitative score for arteries (max 34) and veins (max 24). Diagnostically sufficient opacification was defined as >17/34 for arteries and >12/24 for veins. Access types, scores and technical success were analyzed.</div></div><div>Thirty pediatric cases (0–3.6 years/ 2.2–25.4 kg) underwent PMCTA prior to autopsy. A biphasic protocol (arterial and venous) was applied using Angiofil™ diluted in rapeseed oil or paraffinum perliquidum. Vascular access included femoral, intraosseous, umbilical and peripheral routes. Vascular filling was assessed using a semiquantitative score for arteries (max 34) and veins (max 24). Diagnostically sufficient opacification was defined as >17/34 for arteries and >12/24 for veins. Access types, scores and technical success were analyzed.</div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>PMCTA was technically feasible in all cases. Diagnostically sufficient arterial opacification was achieved in 23/30 cases (76.7%), and venous opacification in 24/30 (80.0%). Femoral venous access yielded the highest venous scores. In some cases, arterial opacification occurred despite venous-only injection, suggesting passive filling via arteriovenous shunts. Opacification scores showed no significant correlation with age or postmortem interval and only weak correlation with weight despite the weight-adapted protocol.</div></div><div>PMCTA was technically feasible in all cases. Diagnostically sufficient arterial opacification was achieved in 23/30 cases (76.7%), and venous opacification in 24/30 (80.0%). Femoral venous access yielded the highest venous scores. In some cases, arterial opacification occurred despite venous-only injection, suggesting passive filling via arteriovenous shunts. Opacification scores showed no significant correlation with age or postmortem interval and only weak correlation with weight despi","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 200767"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147952129","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}

{"title":"Clinical AI Foundation Model for Postmortem CT: Distinguishing Seawater and Freshwater Drowning","authors":"Hisahiro Ikari , Yukiko Uemura , Masatoshi Kojima , Shigeki Tsuneya , Suguru Torimitsu , Yohsuke Makino , Eiryo Kawakami","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200776","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200776","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Background :The application of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning, to medical imaging has advanced rapidly in recent years. However, its use in postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) remains limited because large, well-annotated datasets are difficult to obtain. In other areas of imaging research, AI models trained on vast amounts of clinical data—known as foundation models—have shown strong adaptability when adjusted to smaller, specialized datasets. Therefore, this study aimed to distinguish seawater drowning from freshwater drowning on PMCT images using a foundation model originally trained on clinical CT data and then fine-tuned for forensic applications.</div></div><div>Background :The application of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning, to medical imaging has advanced rapidly in recent years. However, its use in postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) remains limited because large, well-annotated datasets are difficult to obtain. In other areas of imaging research, AI models trained on vast amounts of clinical data—known as foundation models—have shown strong adaptability when adjusted to smaller, specialized datasets. Therefore, this study aimed to distinguish seawater drowning from freshwater drowning on PMCT images using a foundation model originally trained on clinical CT data and then fine-tuned for forensic applications.</div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We employed a vision transformer based neural network architecture that had been pre-trained on general clinical CT images. We added a binary classification layer to distinguish seawater from freshwater drowning cases. To ensure interpretability, we used visual explanation techniques to highlight image regions most influential in the model’s decision.</div></div><div>We employed a vision transformer based neural network architecture that had been pre-trained on general clinical CT images. We added a binary classification layer to distinguish seawater from freshwater drowning cases. To ensure interpretability, we used visual explanation techniques to highlight image regions most influential in the model’s decision.</div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The fine-tuned model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.936, demonstrating good classification performance. The visual explanation revealed that the model mainly focused on the subcutaneous tissues outside the lungs, suggesting possible differences in tissue appearance between seawater and freshwater drowning.</div></div><div>The fine-tuned model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.936, demonstrating good classification performance. The visual explanation revealed that the model mainly focused on the subcutaneous tissues outside the lungs, suggesting possible differences in tissue appearance between seawater and freshwater drowning.</div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study demonstrates that adapting pre-trained","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 200776"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147950971","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}

{"title":"Medico-legal evaluation of soft tissue and osteo-articular blunt injuries: diagnostic contribution of musculoskeletal ultrasound","authors":"Anatolii Bondarev , Andrei Pădure , Maria Jeleznaia-Bondareva , Alina Nicorici , Petru Glavan","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200752","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200752","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Blunt injuries represent one of the most frequent reasons for forensic medical examination in living persons, while the accurate identification of soft tissue and osteo-articular traumas often require complementary imaging methods. Clinical examination alone may not always reveal the full extent or character of the injuries, particularly in cases involving subcutaneous hemorrhages, ligamentous tears or post-traumatic inflammatory changes.</div></div><div>Blunt injuries represent one of the most frequent reasons for forensic medical examination in living persons, while the accurate identification of soft tissue and osteo-articular traumas often require complementary imaging methods. Clinical examination alone may not always reveal the full extent or character of the injuries, particularly in cases involving subcutaneous hemorrhages, ligamentous tears or post-traumatic inflammatory changes.</div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study retrospectively analyzed 87 forensic medical reports from the Chisinau Clinical Department of the Centre of Forensic Medicine, covering cases from 2023 and 2024 that involved musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluation. Only cases in which the ultrasound findings were included in the medico-legal report were considered.</div></div><div>The study retrospectively analyzed 87 forensic medical reports from the Chisinau Clinical Department of the Centre of Forensic Medicine, covering cases from 2023 and 2024 that involved musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluation. Only cases in which the ultrasound findings were included in the medico-legal report were considered.</div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis demonstrated that various forms of blunt trauma were present in all examined persons. The forensic grading of health impairment showed that 3.4% of cases were classified as insignificant, 48.7% as minor, and 47.9% as moderate, with no instances of severe injury – consistent with the typical nature of soft tissue and osteo-articular trauma. The lesions most frequently identified included soft tissue hemorrhages, hematomas, partial or complete muscle fiber ruptures, ligament and meniscal tears, post-traumatic inflammation, and certain fractures. In 45.7% of cases, musculoskeletal ultrasound was the sole method that allowed detection of traumatic changes, in 28.3%, it contributed to reassessing the severity of health damage, and in 26%, it confirmed or refined the clinical diagnosis by providing supplementary details about the traumatic mechanism and the nature of the impacting object.</div></div><div>The analysis demonstrated that various forms of blunt trauma were present in all examined persons. The forensic grading of health impairment showed that 3.4% of cases were classified as insignificant, 48.7% as minor, and 47.9% as moderate, with no instances of severe injury – consistent with the typical nature of soft tissue and osteo-articular trauma. The lesions most frequently identified included soft tissue","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 200752"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147951680","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}

{"title":"PMCT as a method for distinguishing between chest injuries resulting from accidents and those induced by mechanical chest compression device","authors":"Aleksandra Borowska-Solonynko","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200716","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200716","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Problem</h3><div>In recent years, most resuscitations have been conducted using mechanical chest compression devices. Despite the undeniable advantages of this method in saving human lives, the use of these devices presents new challenges for physicians issuing forensic medical opinions. This is especially evident when injuries resulting from resuscitation overlap with those sustained under other circumstances.</div></div><div>In recent years, most resuscitations have been conducted using mechanical chest compression devices. Despite the undeniable advantages of this method in saving human lives, the use of these devices presents new challenges for physicians issuing forensic medical opinions. This is especially evident when injuries resulting from resuscitation overlap with those sustained under other circumstances.</div><div><h3>Innovation</h3><div>The case presented concerned an elderly woman who was struck by a slowly moving rail vehicle that had just departed from the station. Emergency services called to the scene diagnosed sudden cardiac arrest and began resuscitation. Cardiac resuscitation was performed by using a mechanical chest compression device. Among other findings, autopsy revealed massive injuries to the heart with crushing of the muscle and rib fractures limited to a single line on each side, but no external injuries to the chest wall. Analysis of the PMCT images identified different types of rib fractures on both sides of the chest, which became the starting point for considering their differing etiology.</div></div><div>The case presented concerned an elderly woman who was struck by a slowly moving rail vehicle that had just departed from the station. Emergency services called to the scene diagnosed sudden cardiac arrest and began resuscitation. Cardiac resuscitation was performed by using a mechanical chest compression device. Among other findings, autopsy revealed massive injuries to the heart with crushing of the muscle and rib fractures limited to a single line on each side, but no external injuries to the chest wall. Analysis of the PMCT images identified different types of rib fractures on both sides of the chest, which became the starting point for considering their differing etiology.</div><div><h3>Impact</h3><div>Thanks to PMCT, a much more precise and in-depth analysis of the nature of bone fractures, such as of the ribs, is possible. PMCT can be a key tool in assessing cases in which it is necessary to distinguish between injuries caused by resuscitation efforts and those resulting from trauma that led to sudden cardiac arrest.</div></div><div>Thanks to PMCT, a much more precise and in-depth analysis of the nature of bone fractures, such as of the ribs, is possible. PMCT can be a key tool in assessing cases in which it is necessary to distinguish between injuries caused by resuscitation efforts and those resulting from trauma that led to sudden cardiac arrest.</div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 200716"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147951784","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}

{"title":"Murder in a Suitcase: Unzipping the Truth with Post-Mortem CT","authors":"Reena Tanna ,&nbsp;Milda Dedelaite ,&nbsp;Natasha Davendralingam ,&nbsp;Nina Breunung-Joshi ,&nbsp;Salman Rahimi ,&nbsp;Fatima Ahmad ,&nbsp;Mohammad Ali Shah","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200711","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200711","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Concealment of a body in a suitcase presents unique forensic challenges. PMCT can non-invasively demonstrate concealed injuries and provide compelling evidence for court.</div></div><div>Concealment of a body in a suitcase presents unique forensic challenges. PMCT can non-invasively demonstrate concealed injuries and provide compelling evidence for court.</div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We present a homicide case in which the deceased was discovered inside a suitcase. PMCT was performed prior to autopsy.</div></div><div>We present a homicide case in which the deceased was discovered inside a suitcase. PMCT was performed prior to autopsy.</div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>PMCT demonstrated:</div><div>Multiple facial fractures with clear visualisation on 3D reconstruction.</div><div>Soft tissue swelling and haemorrhage correlating with blunt force trauma.</div><div>Body position within the suitcase, confirming concealment mechanics.</div><div>The imaging findings directed forensic pathologists to key injury sites and later formed a central exhibit in court proceedings.</div></div><div>PMCT demonstrated:</div><div>Multiple facial fractures with clear visualisation on 3D reconstruction.</div><div>Soft tissue swelling and haemorrhage correlating with blunt force trauma.</div><div>Body position within the suitcase, confirming concealment mechanics.</div><div>The imaging findings directed forensic pathologists to key injury sites and later formed a central exhibit in court proceedings.</div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This case demonstrates the pivotal role of PMCT in homicide investigation where concealment complicates assessment. Beyond COD determination, PMCT provided a visually compelling reconstruction that helped clinch the forensic narrative for both pathologists and the court.</div></div><div>This case demonstrates the pivotal role of PMCT in homicide investigation where concealment complicates assessment. Beyond COD determination, PMCT provided a visually compelling reconstruction that helped clinch the forensic narrative for both pathologists and the court.</div>","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 200711"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147951979","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}

{"title":"High resolution three-dimensional imaging and analysis of fetal skeletal development for forensic age estimation","authors":"Sophie C. Visser ,&nbsp;Marcella Zijta ,&nbsp;Jermo Hanemaaijer-van der Veer ,&nbsp;Daniël Docter ,&nbsp;Yousif Dawood ,&nbsp;Roelof-Jan Oostra ,&nbsp;Eva Pajkrt ,&nbsp;Bernadette S. de Bakker","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200770","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200770","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Background&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The primary ossification of skeletal structures occurs predominantly in-utero. For this reason, knowledge of skeletal development is based on clinical imaging methods (e.g. ultrasound, or in rare cases MRI), or derived from archaeological or forensic specimens with an unknown fetal age. To accurately estimate age-at-death in forensic cases, further knowledge of skeletal development is essential.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The primary ossification of skeletal structures occurs predominantly in-utero. For this reason, knowledge of skeletal development is based on clinical imaging methods (e.g. ultrasound, or in rare cases MRI), or derived from archaeological or forensic specimens with an unknown fetal age. To accurately estimate age-at-death in forensic cases, further knowledge of skeletal development is essential.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Thirty-four healthy human fetuses (9-24 weeks gestational age) previously donated to the Dutch Fetal Biobank after termination of pregnancy have undergone diffusible iodine-based contrast enhancement and micro-CT scanning. All cartilaginous and ossified skeletal elements were first segmented using in-house-developed AI tools, after which the segmentations were manually verified and adjusted in Dragonfly 3D World. Additional micro-CT scans without contrast enhancement of healthy human fetuses were used to further characterize the timing of ossification onset and to quantify the size and morphology of primary ossification centres.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Thirty-four healthy human fetuses (9-24 weeks gestational age) previously donated to the Dutch Fetal Biobank after termination of pregnancy have undergone diffusible iodine-based contrast enhancement and micro-CT scanning. All cartilaginous and ossified skeletal elements were first segmented using in-house-developed AI tools, after which the segmentations were manually verified and adjusted in Dragonfly 3D World. Additional micro-CT scans without contrast enhancement of healthy human fetuses were used to further characterize the timing of ossification onset and to quantify the size and morphology of primary ossification centres.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Expected Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;We will provide quantifications and morphological visualisations of the developing human fetus. Growth curves with prediction intervals will be developed based on size and ossification onsets for all major long bones, providing robust quantitative references for early skeletal development. Also, the size and morphology of primary ossification centres together with the timing of ossification onset will be characterized over gestational ages.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We will provide quantifications and morphological visualisations of the developing human fetus. Growth curves with prediction intervals will be developed based on size and ossification onsets for all major long bones, providing robust quantitative references for early skeletal development. Also, the size and morphology of primary oss","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 200770"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147951982","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}

{"title":"Photon-counting CT in Postmortem Cerebral Angiography: Preliminary Findings with Histopathologic Correlation in Hypertensive Cases","authors":"Numfon Tweeatsani ,&nbsp;Go Inokuchi ,&nbsp;Fumiko Chiba ,&nbsp;Masatoshi Kojima ,&nbsp;Yoshida Maiko ,&nbsp;Fuyuhiko Teramoto ,&nbsp;Hirotaro Iwase ,&nbsp;Yohsuke Makino","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200757","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200757","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Background&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study explores the feasibility of photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) for selective postmortem cerebral angiography (PMCTA), aiming to evaluate lenticulostriate arteries and compare image quality with single-energy (SE) reconstructions.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study explores the feasibility of photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT) for selective postmortem cerebral angiography (PMCTA), aiming to evaluate lenticulostriate arteries and compare image quality with single-energy (SE) reconstructions.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Two fresh cadavers with underlying hypertension and no head injury were examined. Selective cerebral angiography was performed by catheterizing the right internal carotid and left vertebral arteries, with contralateral clamping. A mixture of 20 mL oil-based contrast and 480 mL paraffin (total 36 mL) was infused at 0.1 mL/s. Scans were acquired using a FUJIFILM® PCD-CT prototype in three phases (pre-, arterial, and late). Image reconstruction and analysis were performed using SYNAPSE VINCENT®. Histology examination of bilateral basal ganglia was performed to correlate image findings.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Two fresh cadavers with underlying hypertension and no head injury were examined. Selective cerebral angiography was performed by catheterizing the right internal carotid and left vertebral arteries, with contralateral clamping. A mixture of 20 mL oil-based contrast and 480 mL paraffin (total 36 mL) was infused at 0.1 mL/s. Scans were acquired using a FUJIFILM® PCD-CT prototype in three phases (pre-, arterial, and late). Image reconstruction and analysis were performed using SYNAPSE VINCENT®. Histology examination of bilateral basal ganglia was performed to correlate image findings.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;PMCTA revealed diffuse irregularity with mild dilatation of bilateral lenticulostriate arteries. Among reconstructions, 0.2-mm ultra-high-resolution (UHR) images showed superior vessel continuity with increased noise, whereas 0.6-mm UHR provided optimal image balance whereas SE image has the lowest image sharpness. Histology examination demonstrated vascular wall calcification and tortuous dilatation, corresponding to PMCTA findings.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;PMCTA revealed diffuse irregularity with mild dilatation of bilateral lenticulostriate arteries. Among reconstructions, 0.2-mm ultra-high-resolution (UHR) images showed superior vessel continuity with increased noise, whereas 0.6-mm UHR provided optimal image balance whereas SE image has the lowest image sharpness. Histology examination demonstrated vascular wall calcification and tortuous dilatation, corresponding to PMCTA findings.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;PCD-CT PMCTA using slow-infusion oil-based contrast enables high-resolution visualization of small cerebral vessels and may complement autopsy in assessing hypertensive microangiopathy.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;PCD-CT PMCTA using slow-infusion oil-based contrast enables high-resolution visual","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 200757"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147952042","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}

{"title":"Can PMCT alone accurately reconstruct complex gunshot injuries? A case series","authors":"Chiara Villa,&nbsp;Sara Larsen,&nbsp;Christina Jacobsen","doi":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200712","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fri.2026.200712","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Background&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Postmortem CT (PMCT) has become a key tool in the medicolegal investigation of gunshot-related deaths, offering rapid detection of projectiles and fragments, trajectory reconstruction, and powerful 3D visualization, as recently reaffirmed in ISFRI guidelines and reviews. While PMCT provides many advantages, it is not always sufficient on its own. Autopsy remains necessary in many cases, especially when internal trajectories do not follow expected paths due to post-injury organ movement. Moreover, in cases with multiple entry and exit wounds, CT interpretation can become particularly complex and confusing without the support of autopsy findings.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Postmortem CT (PMCT) has become a key tool in the medicolegal investigation of gunshot-related deaths, offering rapid detection of projectiles and fragments, trajectory reconstruction, and powerful 3D visualization, as recently reaffirmed in ISFRI guidelines and reviews. While PMCT provides many advantages, it is not always sufficient on its own. Autopsy remains necessary in many cases, especially when internal trajectories do not follow expected paths due to post-injury organ movement. Moreover, in cases with multiple entry and exit wounds, CT interpretation can become particularly complex and confusing without the support of autopsy findings.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Materials and Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;We present a case series of five gunshot-related deaths involving multiple and complex projectile trajectories. Each case was examined using PMCT and traditional autopsy. We compared the results across several features: total number of gunshot injuries (entry and exit), distinction between entry and exit wounds, identification of projectile paths, location of bullets and fragments, and bone injuries. 3D visualizations of the injuries were also generated.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We present a case series of five gunshot-related deaths involving multiple and complex projectile trajectories. Each case was examined using PMCT and traditional autopsy. We compared the results across several features: total number of gunshot injuries (entry and exit), distinction between entry and exit wounds, identification of projectile paths, location of bullets and fragments, and bone injuries. 3D visualizations of the injuries were also generated.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results and Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Our results show that PMCT and autopsy findings were generally consistent across most features. However, in cases with more than three injuries located close together or creating extensive damage, PMCT alone was insufficient to determine accurate bullet trajectories. Additionally, the presence of numerous projectiles and fragments hindered lesion interpretations in CT alone. Despite these limitations, 3D visualizations showing both PMCT and autopsy findings resulted in a powerful visual tool for communicating injuries to non-medical audiences and should always be included as supplementary material in forensic reporti","PeriodicalId":40763,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Imaging","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 200712"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147951781","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}