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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.01.027 Byline: Kathrin Yen (a)(b), Karl-Olof Lovblad (c), Eva Scheurer (a), Christoph Ozdoba (d), Michael J. Thali (a), Emin Aghayev (a), Christian Jackowski (a), Javier Anon (a)(d), Nathalie Frickey (e), Karin Zwygart (f), Joachim Weis (g), Richard Dirnhofer (a) Keywords: CT; MRI; Forensic imaging; Virtopsy; Post-mortem neuroradiology Abstract: Multislice-computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are increasingly used for forensic purposes. Based on broad experience in clinical neuroimaging, post-mortem MSCT and MRI were performed in 57 forensic cases with the goal to evaluate the radiological methods concerning their usability for forensic head and brain examination. An experienced clinical radiologist evaluated the imaging data. The results were compared to the autopsy findings that served as the gold standard with regard to common forensic neurotrauma findings such as skull fractures, soft tissue lesions of the scalp, various forms of intracranial hemorrhage or signs of increased brain pressure. The sensitivity of the imaging methods ranged from 100% (e.g., heat-induced alterations, intracranial gas) to zero (e.g., mediobasal impression marks as a sign of increased brain pressure, plaques jaunes). The agreement between MRI and CT was 69%. The radiological methods prevalently failed in the detection of lesions smaller than 3mm of size, whereas they were generally satisfactory concerning the evaluation of intracranial hemorrhage. Due to its advanced 2D and 3D post-processing possibilities, CT in particular possessed certain advantages in comparison with autopsy with regard to forensic reconstruction. MRI showed forensically relevant findings not seen during autopsy in several cases. The partly limited sensitivity of imaging that was observed in this retrospective study was based on several factors: besides general technical limitations it became apparent that clinical radiologists require a sound basic forensic background in order to detect specific signs. Focused teaching sessions will be essential to improve the outcome in future examinations. On the other hand, the autopsy protocols should be further standardized to allow an exact comparison of imaging and autopsy data. In consideration of these facts, MRI and CT have the power to play an important role in future forensic neuropathological examination. Author Affiliation: (a) Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland (b) Forensic Radiology Department, Center of Clinical-Theoretical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria (c) Department of Neuroradiology, University of Geneva, Switzerland (d) Department of Radiology, Insel Hospitel Bern, Switzerland (e) Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Vienna, Austria (f) Department of Clinical Research, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Methodology, University of Bern, Switzerland (g) Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH University, Aachen, Germany Article History: Received 28 August 2006; Revised 15 December 2006; Accepted 21 January 2007 Article Note: (footnote) [star] Supported by grants from the Gebert-Ruef-Foundation, Basel, Switzerland, and from the Government of Vorarlberg, Bregenz, Austria.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.08.024 Byline: Ursula Buck (a)(b), Silvio Naether (a), Marcel Braun (c), Stephan Bolliger (a), Hans Friederich (b), Christian Jackowski (a), Emin Aghayev (a), Andreas Christe (a)(d), Peter Vock (d), Richard Dirnhofer (a), Michael J. Thali (a) Keywords: Virtopsy; Accident reconstruction; Metric wound documentation; Photogrammetry; 3D optical scanning; Forensic radiology Abstract: The examination of traffic accidents is daily routine in forensic medicine. An important question in the analysis of the victims of traffic accidents, for example in collisions between motor vehicles and pedestrians or cyclists, is the situation of the impact. Apart from forensic medical examinations (external examination and autopsy), three-dimensional technologies and methods are gaining importance in forensic investigations. Besides the post-mortem multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the documentation and analysis of internal findings, highly precise 3D surface scanning is employed for the documentation of the external body findings and of injury-inflicting instruments. The correlation of injuries of the body to the injury-inflicting object and the accident mechanism are of great importance. The applied methods include documentation of the external and internal body and the involved vehicles and inflicting tools as well as the analysis of the acquired data. The body surface and the accident vehicles with their damages were digitized by 3D surface scanning. For the internal findings of the body, post-mortem MSCT and MRI were used. The analysis included the processing of the obtained data to 3D models, determination of the driving direction of the vehicle, correlation of injuries to the vehicle damages, geometric determination of the impact situation and evaluation of further findings of the accident. In the following article, the benefits of the 3D documentation and computer-assisted, drawn-to-scale 3D comparisons of the relevant injuries with the damages to the vehicle in the analysis of the course of accidents, especially with regard to the impact situation, are shown on two examined cases. Author Affiliation: (a) University of Bern, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Buehlstrasse 20, 3012 Bern, Switzerland (b) State Police Bern, Accident Service, Schermenweg 9, 3001 Bern, Switzerland (c) Zuerich City Police, Accident Service, 8021 Zuerich, Switzerland (d) University Hospital of Bern, Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, 3010 Bern, Switzerland Article History: Received 20 April 2006; Revised 19 July 2006; Accepted 30 August 2006

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.05.035 Byline: Emin Aghayev (a), Michael J. Thali (a), Martin Sonnenschein (b), Christian Jackowski (a), Richard Dirnhofer (a), Peter Vock (b) Keywords: Virtopsy; Forensic radiology; Post-mortem; Multi-slice computed tomography; CT guided biopsy; Needle autopsy Abstract: Currently, in forensic medicine cross-sectional imaging gains recognition and a wide use as a non-invasive examination approach. Today, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging that are available for patients are unable to provide tissue information on the cellular level in a non-invasive manner and also diatom detection, DNA, bacteriological, chemical toxicological and other specific tissue analyses are impossible using radiology. We hypothesised that post-mortem minimally invasive tissue sampling using needle biopsies under CT guidance might significantly enhance the potential of virtual autopsy. The purpose of this study was to test the use of a clinically approved biopsy needle for minimally invasive post-mortem sampling of tissue specimens under CT guidance. Author Affiliation: (a) Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, IRM Buehlstrasse 20, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland (b) Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland Article History: Received 14 January 2006; Revised 11 May 2006; Accepted 17 May 2006

A noteworthy number of people are interested in BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism, and masochism). Fatal outcomes while participating in BDSM activities occur. The aim of this literature review is to give a better insight into potential dangerous BDSM play by summarizing published data on BDSM fatalities. A literature search was conducted. It was searched for non-natural death related to BDSM activity. Seventeen cases were found. The age of the deceased ranged between 23 and 49 years (mean age 34.9 years). Strangulation in the course of erotic asphyxiation was the most common cause of death (88.2%). In 13 cases, a toxicology report for the deceased was mentioned, of which in eight cases (61.5%) toxicology analysis was positive. In four of these cases, the BDSM partner was also tested positive with the same substance. Drugs or alcohol was involved in 64.3% of fatal BDSM play. In nine cases, the level of experience in BDMS activity of the deceased and the partner was described, and in all of them, the deceased and the partner were not new to BDSM play. Fatal outcomes of BDSM plays are rarer than autoerotic fatalities and natural deaths related to sexual activities. Safeguards and education on medical aspects exist in the BDSM communities. If they are followed by the practitioners, the risks of BDMS play can be reduced. Cases of non-natural death connected to BDSM are rare incidents and can be prevented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]