Forensic radiology has increased its field of action through the implementation of imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in postmortem studies (virtual autopsy/virtopsy). Its a non-invasive procedure, complementary to the conventional autopsy and may in some cases replace the it, preserving the physical integrity of the body. Since radiographers should be engaged in developing and utilizing imaging methods to advance non-invasive documentation and analysis of forensic findings in both living and dead persons, the main goal of this work was...

In this case study, as inclusion criteria, a person had to die in a violent manner by suicide or homicide (in these circumstances a conventional autopsy is mandatory according the nacional law) within the hospital area. A car was discovered on the edge of a cliff about 50 meters above the beach; the cadaver was on the shore in the supine position. The cadaver was sent to the department of forensic medicine at the nearest hospital for the external examination, post-mortem imaging (by radiographer) and...

The external examination of the body revealed multiple abrasions and bruises and a laceration of the scalp, with large exposure of the bone (Fig. 1). The CT scan revealed fractures of the ribs, both humerus and left scapula consistent with violent trauma (Fig. 2). CT images also showed the presence of liquid and spontaneously dense material in the sinuses; liquid filling of the trachea and proximal portions of the main bronchi, with high gravitational density content in part of the subglottic respiratory lumen. There was...

Literature reviews have shown good correlation between both techniques and this particular case study has shown that there was certainly a good congruence between the two modalities. The virtual method preserves the forensic evidence and, at the same time, represents an alternative to religious communities which do not accept the conventional autopsy. Ethically the virtual autopsy is among the methods that support respect for human beings, the right to privacy, even after death.Virtual autopsy also creates another intervention field for radiographers, contributing to their professional...

Andreia Silva (BSc), Collaborator in the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department, Health School - University of Algarve, Portugal. Radiographer in Queen's Medical Centre. Nuno Pinto (BSc), Professor in the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department, Health School - University of Algarve, Portugal. Radiographer in Centro Hospitalar do Algarve - Faro, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected] António Abrantes (PhD), Professor in the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department, Health School - University of Algarve, Portugal. Researcher in CICS.NOVA (Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities) and...

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