Computed Tomography (CT Scan)-A superior Tool to Locate the Foreign Bodies and Tissue Injuries in Cases of Firearm Injuries

The present study was conducted at Dept. of Forensic Medicine TNMC, Mumbai during the recent terror attack on Mumbai (26^th Nov. 2008). 20 autopsies of firearm victims were conducted after whole body CT scan. Plain CT scan of all victims was imaged prior to autopsy by Siemens somatom spiral multidetector 4 slice CT- scanner. The coronal and saggital images of whole body were taken for detection of any hyperdense foreign bodies. Images were evaluated to determine the location of foreign bodies (bullet/pellet/any other metallic objects) in the body along with defect (any fracture) in bone. Digital photographs were taken of the external appearances of the body, gunshot entry and exit wounds, dissected gunshot wound tracks,injuries to the internal organs and intact bullets/metal fragments recovered. The average time required for doing each CT scan was 10 minutes. Out of 20 autopsies, in 7 cases foreign bodies (bullet/pellets) were detected. In 13 cases foreign bodies were not detected.