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Analysis of laryngeal fractures in decomposed bodies using microfocus computed tomography (mfCT)

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Abstract

Postmortem computed tomography (CT) is now routinely performed in forensic autopsies. Microfocus computed tomography (mfCT) has attracted recent attention because it can provide more detailed information than routine postmortem CT can. This feasibility study evaluated the usefulness of mfCT for examination of the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage in cases of suspected strangulation, where advanced decomposition precludes detection of petechial hemorrhages and hemorrhages adjacent to fractures. The results show that mfCT was useful for identification of thin fracture lines in the fragile laryngeal structures. We suggest that mfCT should be considered for forensic autopsies in cases of suspected strangulation with advanced decomposition.

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Conflict of interest

P. Knauff is the executive director of Ctm-do, a company that specializes in mfCT-based non-destructive examination of specimens. All other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Saarland University Medical School, Kirrbergerstr. 100/Building 42, 66424, Homburg/Saar, Germany

    Mattias Kettner

  2. Institute of Forensic Medicine, Frankfurt University Medical School, Frankfurt/M., Germany

    Mattias Kettner & Stefan Potente

  3. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Frankfurt University Medical School, Frankfurt/M., Germany

    Boris Schulz

  4. Ctm-do GmbH, Dortmund, Germany

    Peter Knauff

  5. Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Saarland University Medical School, Homburg/Saar, Germany

    Peter H. Schmidt & Frank Ramsthaler

Authors
  1. Mattias Kettner
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  2. Stefan Potente
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  3. Boris Schulz
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  4. Peter Knauff
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  5. Peter H. Schmidt
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  6. Frank Ramsthaler
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mattias Kettner.

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Kettner, M., Potente, S., Schulz, B. et al. Analysis of laryngeal fractures in decomposed bodies using microfocus computed tomography (mfCT). Forensic Sci Med Pathol 10, 607–612 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-014-9584-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-014-9584-1

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