forensic radiography

Question 1

when was imaging first used for forensics

Answer 1

1896

Question 2

Forensics can be used for DVI, what is thsi

Answer 2

disaster victim identification

• and many others e.g SPA, cause of death, ballistics, age (in human trafficking cases), body packing, identifying hazardous materials in body etc

Question 3

what are the 5 main health and safety checklist in forensic imaging

Answer 3

infection prevention

staff welfare (psychological)

chemical risk

manual handling (scanner weight limits, transport and personnel)

radiation protection (staff requirements)

Question 4

in terms of managing ones self, its recognised that emphasis should be primary prevention, TRAINING AND EDUCATION is an integral part in minimising PTSD

Question 5

in 1953, according to section 22 of what act, requires attending physicians to state to best of their knowledge and belief a pathological cause of dearth

Answer 5

births and deaths registration act

Question 6

what act regulates the removal, storage, use and disposal of Relevant Material (human waste material e.g bones)

Answer 6

human tissue act 2004

Question 7

what are 3 medico-legal aspects to consider in forensic imaging

Answer 7

• appropriate documentation (e.g statements, protocols)
• confidentiality (image protection on PACS, SUB JUDICE)
• consent (would u need this to image a dead person?

Question 8

under confidentiality medico-legality, sub-juice is needed. what is this

Answer 8

under judicial consideration and therefore prohibited from public discussion elsewhere.

Question 9

note that when it comes to making statements about objects or methods of death via object, an expert witness is needed. E.G if someone got stabbed with a knife, you need an expert on knives to confirm this is true, the radiographer cannot say that it was a knife (despite it blatantly looking like one)

Question 10

what 4 ppl are involved in the forensic team of deceased

Answer 10

coroner (directs radiographer) (death investigator)

pathologist

odontologist

anthropologists

(all 4 of these roles can request imaging)

Question 11

what does IAFR stand for, what do they do/what are they for

Answer 11

international association of forensic radiographers (2005)

• promote awareness of forensic radiography
• provision of training and education in forensic field
• contact point for initiation of radiography response team in event of mass fatality incident

Question 12

what are ballistics

Answer 12

deaths/ injury cause by firearms

• the examination of evidence from firearms that may have been used in a crime.

Question 13

what is body packing

Answer 13

the concealment of illegal substances in a person’s body with the aim of smuggling

Question 14

in 70% of cadavers with CT and MR post-mortem, the cause of death is identified

Question 15

note parameters for post mortem imaging NOT LIMITED BY DOSE, and needs 2m table to scan from head to toe

• consider the way u want to lay the patient spine or prone, it could conceal injury on imaging

Question 16

what type of CT would be used for forensic imaging esp if theres susceptible artefacts

Answer 16

dual energy,

allow subtraction e.g if theres metal bullets, etc

Question 17

what is blue metal rendering on gunshot trauma imaging

Answer 17

identifies projectile fragments in body and limbs

• comment made on what bones appear affected (not extent)

Question 18

what is CoD abbreviated for

Answer 18

cause of death

• can be obvious on imaging e.g head chopped off BUT impression does give info about imaging for case filing

Question 19

what modality is used for non-fatal strangulation evaluation and how

Answer 19

MRI

areas of strangulation will show injuries resulting from strangulation. These signs may include changes in blood vessel structures, areas of reduced blood flow, or hemorrhages (via red glow coming from areas injured)

Question 20

in DVI it is rarely possible to identify a victim of a major dister thru visual recognition thus fingerprints, dental records or DNA samples are often needed for a CONCLUSIVE identification

Answer 20

ra

Question 21

radiographer must be forensically trained to participate in DVI, , what are the radiographers roles in DVI

Answer 21

• primary survey (assess and treat life-threatening injuries rapidly)
• written record of appearances and position of specific items noted diagrammatically
• images correctly recoded with case number, date, time and INITALS
• maybe secondary surgery (a methodical check to assess a responsive casualty for any other injuries or illnesses. e.g dental xray)
• report ALL IMAGES
• not usually lead screens so WEAR LEAD APRONS