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International Journal of Legal Medicine

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01-01-2006 | Original Article

Does imaging technology overcome problems of conventional postmortem examination?

A trial of computed tomography imaging for postmortem examination

Authors: Mutsumi Hayakawa, Seiji Yamamoto, Hisako Motani, Daisuke Yajima, Yayoi Sato, Hirotaro Iwase

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 1/2006

Abstract

We used a mobile computed tomography (CT) unit for postmortem examinations of deceased subjects to see how many mistakes on cause-of-death diagnoses were made in Japan. In 5 of 20 cases, the cause of death determined by CT was different from the diagnosis made by superficial postmortem examination. In one case, the superficial examination suggested no trauma, whereas a subdural hematoma was found on cranial CT images. We concluded that postmortem examinations in Japan were not effective when screening for crimes or accidents. Using a mobile CT scanner in postmortem examination may be a viable method of screening for causes of deaths, although it cannot be used as a substitute for autopsy.

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Title: Does imaging technology overcome problems of conventional postmortem examination?
A trial of computed tomography imaging for postmortem examination
Authors: Mutsumi Hayakawa
Seiji Yamamoto
Hisako Motani
Daisuke Yajima
Yayoi Sato
Hirotaro Iwase
Publication date: 01-01-2006
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 1/2006
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-005-0038-x

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Does imaging technology overcome problems of conventional postmortem examination?

A trial of computed tomography imaging for postmortem examination

Abstract

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Springer Medicine

Abstract

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