Leichenbeseitigung durch Verstecken in Transport- behältnissen oder Verpackungsmaterialien: präautoptische Untersuchung mittels postmortaler Computertomographie (PMCT)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Leichenbeseitigung durch Verstecken in Transport- behältnissen oder Verpackungsmaterialien: präautoptische Untersuchung mittels postmortaler Computertomographie (PMCT)

AU - Hasegawa, Iwao

AU - Heinemann, Axel

AU - Jahnke, Philipp

AU - Wilke, Nadine

AU - Kammal, Michael

AU - Püschel, Klaus

PY - 2014/12

Y1 - 2014/12

N2 - The presented case reports illustrate the value of post-mortem computed tomography in cases of homicide in which the body was hidden in a container or packaging material and could not be inspected directly from outside. In Case 1, the body was forced into a suitcase, which was then thrown into a flood basin. Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) visualized the compressed and extremely flexed body inside the suitcase as well as fractures of the left temporal bone, the left ulna and the left side of the mandible. After recovery of the body, the consequences of long-term immersion in fresh water became visible. At autopsy, a laceration in the left temporal region and a temporal bone fracture were observed. The fractures of the left ulna and the left jaw were associated with moderate hematoma. In Case 2, the body of an 11-year-old girl was retrieved from a plastic bag concealed in a garden shed. The cause of death was ligature strangulation. In the presented cases, PMCT was performed as part of the police investigations for reliable primary documentation of the contents of the containers without further manipulation. Thus the human body, its position inside the container and the presence of bone injuries could be demonstrated before opening the container. In such cases, post-mortem imaging provides reliable and rapid information to the investigating authorities before autopsy already.

AB - The presented case reports illustrate the value of post-mortem computed tomography in cases of homicide in which the body was hidden in a container or packaging material and could not be inspected directly from outside. In Case 1, the body was forced into a suitcase, which was then thrown into a flood basin. Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) visualized the compressed and extremely flexed body inside the suitcase as well as fractures of the left temporal bone, the left ulna and the left side of the mandible. After recovery of the body, the consequences of long-term immersion in fresh water became visible. At autopsy, a laceration in the left temporal region and a temporal bone fracture were observed. The fractures of the left ulna and the left jaw were associated with moderate hematoma. In Case 2, the body of an 11-year-old girl was retrieved from a plastic bag concealed in a garden shed. The cause of death was ligature strangulation. In the presented cases, PMCT was performed as part of the police investigations for reliable primary documentation of the contents of the containers without further manipulation. Thus the human body, its position inside the container and the presence of bone injuries could be demonstrated before opening the container. In such cases, post-mortem imaging provides reliable and rapid information to the investigating authorities before autopsy already.

KW - Autopsy

KW - Cadaver

KW - Child

KW - Female

KW - Forensic Medicine

KW - Homicide

KW - Humans

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Product Packaging

KW - Transportation

KW - Whole Body Imaging

M3 - SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz

C2 - 26548018

VL - 234

SP - 166

EP - 173

JO - Arch Kriminol

JF - Arch Kriminol

SN - 0003-9225

IS - 5-6

ER -