TY - JOUR

T1 - Post-mortem computed tomography as part of dental identification – a proposed guideline

AU - Jensen, Niels Dyrgaard

AU - Arge, Sára Oladóttir

AU - Hansen, Nikolaj Friis

AU - Lynnerup, Niels

PY - 2019/7/30

Y1 - 2019/7/30

N2 - Purpose This paper presents a proposed guideline for the use of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) during forensicdental identification. Currently, whole-body PMCT is widely used prior to autopsies for the diagnosis of fractures, organ changes,hemorrhages, and for the localization of foreign bodies, but it may also facilitate the odontological identification process in singlecases and in cases involving multiple fatalities. Several studies have described the use of PMCT in forensic odontological work,but we have not found any comprehensive set of guidelines on how to perform a forensic odontological examination usingPMCT. The aim was to develop guidelines for creating post-mortem dental charts during forensic odontological identificationexaminations using the standard functions of PMCT.Methods A proposed guideline was developed from 15 selected cases examined at the Section of Forensic Pathology,Department of Forensic Medicine at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark from October 2011 to May 2012. Using thefunctionalities and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of OsiriX DICOM-viewer software (Pixmeo Sarl, Bernex, Geneva,Switzerland) we adjusted the contrast and brightness settings and developed a proposed guideline for creating PMCT-baseddental charts. A four-step guideline was produced.Conclusion In our casework, we are currently using the guidelines proposed herein. The use of PMCT has allowed us to targetour clinical examinations, greatly improving their efficiency. Furthermore, PMCT allows the storage of data for later documentation and research. Further research is needed to validate the proposed guideline.

AB - Purpose This paper presents a proposed guideline for the use of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) during forensicdental identification. Currently, whole-body PMCT is widely used prior to autopsies for the diagnosis of fractures, organ changes,hemorrhages, and for the localization of foreign bodies, but it may also facilitate the odontological identification process in singlecases and in cases involving multiple fatalities. Several studies have described the use of PMCT in forensic odontological work,but we have not found any comprehensive set of guidelines on how to perform a forensic odontological examination usingPMCT. The aim was to develop guidelines for creating post-mortem dental charts during forensic odontological identificationexaminations using the standard functions of PMCT.Methods A proposed guideline was developed from 15 selected cases examined at the Section of Forensic Pathology,Department of Forensic Medicine at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark from October 2011 to May 2012. Using thefunctionalities and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of OsiriX DICOM-viewer software (Pixmeo Sarl, Bernex, Geneva,Switzerland) we adjusted the contrast and brightness settings and developed a proposed guideline for creating PMCT-baseddental charts. A four-step guideline was produced.Conclusion In our casework, we are currently using the guidelines proposed herein. The use of PMCT has allowed us to targetour clinical examinations, greatly improving their efficiency. Furthermore, PMCT allows the storage of data for later documentation and research. Further research is needed to validate the proposed guideline.

U2 - 10.1007/s12024-019-00145-y

DO - 10.1007/s12024-019-00145-y

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 31363909

VL - 15

SP - 574

EP - 579

JO - Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology

JF - Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology

SN - 1547-769X

ER -