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In Denmark, post-mortem CT scanning (PMCT) was introduced over 20 years ago. The Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, implemented whole-body CT scanning before each autopsy in December 2002, followed by the Department at University of Southern Denmark in Odense in 2006 and at the University of Aarhus 2008. Subsequently, other equipment, including Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanners, surface scanners, photogrammetry equipment and 3D printers, were introduced in the following years. In this review, we will provide contemporary insights into the status of forensic imaging in Denmark, including requisitioned work and research. We will also discuss future directions in the field.

Introduction Ventilated PMCT (VPMCT) has been reported to provide better quality of pulmonary structures in PMCT in adults and children. However, there are no consensus regarding optimal inflation pressure, and the practical use of VPMCT is still limited by cost of ventilation equipment. Here, we describe a simple and cost-efficient inflation-device for VPMCT and investigate optimal inflation pressure. Aim To elucidate the effect of different ventilation pressures on total lung volume and the volume of ground glass opacities (GGO), air-filled tissue, consolidations, and bronchi in VPMCT. Materials and method A precise inflation device was assembled using standard components: a back-pressure regulator, a water manometer and silicone tubing. Each case had PMCT performed at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 cmH2O pressure. Volumes were measured using stereology. Results 14 cases were enrolled in the study. The total lung volume increased significantly by 3612 mL (median) from 0 to 30 cmH2O (p = 0.001). The volume of consolidations was significantly reduced by 455.86 mL (median) between 0 and 30 cmH2O (p = 0.001). A significant reduction of GGO-volume of 133 mL (median) was observed at the pressure interval 30–40 cmH2O (p = 0.031), but not at lower pressures. Conclusion The constructed inflation device allowed precise and reproducible inflation of the lungs in deceased humans. We found a maximum effect of inflation at 30 cmH2O. At further inflation pressure, only the volume of GGOs decreased , but the effect was minor. For mimicking an in vivo breath-hold scan in PMCT we recommend inflation pressure of 30 cmH2O. + Graphical abstract

In this paper, we provide a brief overview of the status of forensic anthropology and forensic archeology in Denmark, as well as related information about education, research, and skeletal collections. Forensic anthropologists mainly deal with the examination of unidentified skeletal remains. Some special tasks include cranial trauma analysis of the recently deceased, advanced 3D visualization from CT scanning of homicide cases, and stature estimation of perpetrators using surveillance videos. Forensic anthropologists are employed at one of Denmark's three departments of forensic medicine (in Copenhagen, Odense, and Aarhus) and have access to advanced imaging equipment (e.g., CT and MR scanning, surface scanners, and 3D printers) for use in both their requisitioned work and their research. Extensive research is conducted on different topics, such as the health and diseases of past populations, age estimation, and human morphology. Research is based on skeletal material from the archeological collections housed in Copenhagen and Odense or on CT data from the recently deceased. There is no full degree in forensic anthropology in Denmark, but elective courses and lectures are offered to students at different levels and to people from different professional backgrounds. Forensic archaeology is a relatively new field of expertise in Denmark, and relevant cases are rare, with only one or two cases per year. No forensic archeologists are officially employed in any of the departments of forensic medicine. Until recently, the Special Crime Unit of the police handled crime scene investigations involving excavations, but with the option of enlisting the help of outside specialists, such as archaeologists, anthropologists, and pathologists. An official excavation work group was established in 2015 under the lead of the Special Crime Unit of the police with the aim of refining the methods and procedures used in relevant criminal investigations. The group is represented by fiv