The effect of photography training on the accurate representation of gunshot and stab wounds in autopsies: a comparative study

Accurate representation of findings in autopsy photographs is of paramount importance. This study investigates the influence of photography training on the precision of autopsy photographs in depicting these findings. In cases of fatal gunshot and stab wounds, photographs were concurrently taken by individuals without photography training (Group A) and a trained medical photographer (Group B). Two sets of photos were then anonymously presented to forensic medicine specialists, who had no prior knowledge of the associated autopsies, along with relevant survey questions. Responses were assessed according to the autopsy findings. 63.5% of the questions were correctly answered using Group A photographs, while Group B photographs achieved an accuracy rate of 81.2%. Although the rates of incorrect answers were equal (A: 10.9%, B: 11.0%), a notable disparity was observed in the category “could not be evaluated” (A: 25.5%, B: 7.8%). Hence, a significant difference emerged in these two photo groups’ ability to depict the findings accurately. Conspicuously, the length of stab wounds was unassessable in 47.3% of Group A photographs, in contrast to only 1.4% in Group B. Furthermore, the mean deviation from the gold standard in estimating stab wound length was 3.09 mm for Group A and 0.77 mm for Group B. Considering the extent to which autopsy photographs faithfully represent findings is vital for preserving critical evidence over time, we recommend that basic photography training and specialized autopsy photography training become integral components of forensic pathology and medicine education worldwide, complemented by the development of standardized guidelines for autopsy photography.