Digital autopsy : Detection of bullet fragments using “3D volume visualisation with MIP & metal diffraction artifact by whole body MSCT scan in an exhumation case”

This study involved the full-body visualisation of a firearm injury victim after exhumation with multislice computed tomography (MSCT) as a complement to and subsequent comparison with the classical forensic autopsy findings . Whole Body Scan (WBS) was done of the exhumed body and complete scan data of the head, neck, trunk & lower limbs were acquired by use of one acquisition of less than 1 minute of scanning time. Subsequent to this INFOPSY™ a customised Forensic specific Visualisation solution was used for two-dimensional multiplanar reformations and three-dimensional volume reconstructions. The application runs on high performance computing platform with a high definition resolution display. The body retrieved after exhumation was in advanced state of decomposition and dissection was difficult. The digital autopsy, even when post-processing time was added, was faster than the classical forensic autopsy. More importantly the objective non invasive approach of Digital Autopsy offers certain distinct advantages in exhumation cases that complements the classical forensic autopsy.