Virtual determination of sex: metric and nonmetric traits of the adult pelvis from 3D computed tomography models

Examination of the adult os coxae and sacrum is one of the most common methods of sex estimation from bone. Medical imaging, such as computed tomography (CT), provides the opportunity for three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the skeleton from clinical scans of known individuals in situ. In this study, a randomly selected subset of abdominopelvic CT-derived models were used to evaluate simple, repeatable metric methods of sex estimation based on a combination of obstetric measurements and the traditionally nonmetric Phenice-derived traits. A four-variable discriminant function for sex estimation was developed based on statistical analyses. Overall, the cross-validated accuracy of this method was 100%, with inter-observer error showing an average of only 2.2%. Comparative analysis was run on the data set using FORDISC 3.0. This study shows that current sex determination standards from the pelvis should be updated to include more in vivo data to increase the accuracy of identification.     

Pericardial Cyst: Cause of Sudden Cardiac Death?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of sudden death in the world. The etiology of sudden cardiac death involves a wide range of diseases, but seldom pericardial cysts. A pericardial cyst is an uncommon cyst usually located in the middle mediastinum and rarely in the posterior part. They are usually harmless and asymptomatic. Here, we present a case of a 63‐year‐old woman who presented with dyspnea and hoarseness, but died suddenly after a CT scan was attempted. The detailed forensic pathologic and histologic examination revealed a pericardial cyst located in the posterior mediastinum. Toxicology and biochemistry tests, including tryptase, found no competing cause of death.     

An Assessment of the Skeletal Fracture Patterns Resulting from Fatal High (˃3 m) Free Falls

The injury patterns resulting from fatal high (?3 m) free falls have previously been documented in clinical and medico‐legal contexts; however, details relating specifically to the skeletal blunt force trauma (BFT) have been limited. This study aimed to augment what is known of the skeletal fracture patterns resulting from fatal high free falls. Skeletal trauma was analyzed from full‐body postmortem computed tomography scans of 95 individuals who died following a high free fall. Fracture patterns were documented using the five general anatomical regions, axial and appendicular regions, and postcranial unilateral and bilateral regions. Patterns were analyzed in the context of the extrinsic and intrinsic variables that may influence fractures using multiple logistic regression. Fracture patterns involved all aspects of the skeleton, with 98.9% exhibiting polytrauma, and were influenced primarily by the height fallen, manner of death, and landing surface. This improved understanding of fracture patterns will augment anthropological interpretations of the mechanism of BFT in cases of suspected high falls.     

Utilization of X‐ray Computed Tomography for the Exclusion of a Specific Caliber and Bullet Type in a Living Shooting Victim

A bystander claimed to have been shot by a police officer, and CT scans were used to match qualitative and quantitative aspects of the unremoved bullet with police issued 9 mm Luger ammunition. CT scan methodology proved a valid approach for the measurement of bullets based on calculated measurement capability and correlation with “gold standard” physical measurement by vernier caliper. Measurements regarding length and base diameter, as well as length/diameter ratio, were insufficient to unambiguously identify a specific caliber, or a bullet of specific mass within a caliber class. It was, however, possible to exclude a bullet of specific design and mass with well‐characterized precision and accuracy values under selected CT scan conditions. A 9 mm Luger bullet (115 gr FMJ RN) was excluded from involvement in a shooting based on qualitative bullet shape combined with length, base, and ratio measurements of the bullet in‐situ for the victim.     

青少年计算机犯罪初探

以计算机和网络技术为核心的信息技术在全世界迅猛发展的同时,我国计算机犯罪问题也日益突出,存在着手段的智能性、行为的隐蔽性、后果的严重性、趋势的低龄化、媒体的诱导性等特征,这些和青少年心理、生理的不成熟、法律意识的淡薄、司法的漏洞、社会不良因素的影响有很大关系。所以社会和学校要为其成长创造良好的环境,开展计算机安全教育和加强对青少年的网络道德教育;完善技术防范的机制和手段;建立健全有效的法律体系;提高司法人员的执法水平:加强社会治安综合治理。     

眶下裂和眶下沟横断面CT表现及其解剖基础研究

目的研究正常人眶下裂和眶下沟横断面CT表现及其解剖基础,避免将其误认为眶壁骨折。方法正常颅骨25个,肉眼观察眶下裂和眶下沟解剖形态。5个颅骨和20名正常人,眶横断面CT扫描,观察眶后外侧形态,15例辅以多平面重建和三维立体重建。结果在标本和正常人横断面上,眶后外侧面同时反映眶外侧壁和大部分眶下壁,其表现有:(1)单处缺裂,两侧对称或不对称;(2)双处缺裂,缺裂之间夹有片状小骨,小骨长轴与眶外侧壁平行一致;(3)类似双处缺裂,缺裂之间出现片状小骨,小骨呈锥状,长轴在前后方向上。大体标本和眼眶重建图像显示,上述三种情况分别对应的解剖基础是:(1)棒球杆样眶下裂;(2)V形眶下裂,即眶下裂分内外两支,内支位于蝶骨大翼下缘与下颌骨后缘间,外支位于蝶骨大翼下缘与颧骨之间,内外支间形成一向上开口的“V”字形;(3)深陷的眶下沟,伴有突出并向内倾斜的外侧壁。结论熟悉正常人眶下裂和眶下沟的横断面CT表现及其解剖学基础,可以避免将其误认为眶壁骨折。     

螺旋CT三维成像技术在疑难骨外伤中的应用价值

目的探讨螺旋CT(SCT)三维(3D)成像技术在法医疑难骨外伤中的诊断价值。方法选择11例骨外伤病人进行X线及螺旋CT3D检查,观察和分析骨折的位置、数量及性质。结果11例中,X线检查共发现肋骨骨折34处,肩胛骨骨折1处,鼻骨骨折2处,掌骨不完全性骨折1处,左胫、腓骨骨折1处,耻骨骨折1处。CT检查共发现肋骨骨折47处,肩胛骨粉碎性骨折1处,鼻骨骨折明显移位1处,排除骨折1处,上颌骨骨折1处,掌骨完全性骨折1处,左胫、腓骨陈旧性骨折1处,骶骼关节脱位1处,第5腰椎椎弓根骨折1处。结合三维图像,冠位状及矢位状重组图像清晰地显示出骨折线的部位、数量、性质和错位、复原等情况。结论螺旋CT三维成像应用对法医复杂骨外伤的客观诊断非常有效,优于常规X线检查。     

122例鼻部骨折X线和CT诊断的法医学分析

目的　探讨CT在鼻部骨折诊断中的优点。方法　观察 12 2例鼻损伤伤者的鼻部CT和普通X线片 ,对鼻部诸骨骨折进行对比分析。结果　 12 2例鼻部骨折 (鼻骨骨折 3 2例 ,上颌骨额突骨折 3 3例 ,鼻中隔骨折 9例 ,多发性骨折 48例 )均经CT认定。其中 40例因X线片漏诊直接通过高分辨率鼻骨CT薄层扫描认定 ;82例通过鼻骨侧位X线片显示有鼻部骨折 ,因存在骨折类型认定不准确和 /或有漏诊鼻部其它部位骨折可能 ,通过鼻骨CT认定。结论　鼻骨侧位X线片易漏诊、误诊鼻部骨折 ;鼻骨CT能避免鼻部诸骨骨折的漏诊及误诊 ,且骨折认定准确。     

Fimag: The United Kingdom Disaster Victim/Forensic Identification Imaging System

Abstract:  Imaging is an integral diagnostic tool in mass fatality investigations undertaken traditionally by plain X-rays, fluoroscopy, and dental radiography. However, little attention has been given to appropriate image reporting, secure data transfer and storage particularly in relation to the need to meet stringent judicial requirements. Notwithstanding these limitations, it is the risk associated with the safe handling and investigation of contaminated fatalities which is providing new challenges for mass fatality radiological imaging. Mobile multi-slice computed tomography is an alternative to these traditional modalities as it provides a greater diagnostic yield and an opportunity to address the requirements of the criminal justice system. We present a new national disaster victim/forensic identification imaging system—Fimag—which is applicable for both contaminated and non-contaminated mass fatality imaging and addresses the issues of judicial reporting. We suggest this system opens a new era in radiological diagnostics for mass fatalities.