Usefulness of MPMCTA as an adjuvant to forensic autopsies in cases of gunshot deaths

A. C. Minoiu, S. Hostiuc, P. Baumann, O. Tudorache, B. F. Covaliu, A. M. Bratu, B. Popa, S. Grabherr

Abstract: Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) is considered to be a useful tool in assessing gunshot fatalities, allowing fast location of the bullets, as well as being able to perform an accurate description in relation to the entrance and exist wounds, especially when bone lesions are involved. However, PMCT is limited when addressing soft tissue and parenchyma lesions. The authors evaluated two cases of gunshot fatalities, which underwent multi-phase postmortem CT angiography (MPMCTA) prior to forensic autopsies. The acquired images were examined through axial views as well as 2D and 3D reconstructions. MPMCTA proved to be an important asset in evaluating the wound paths and associated lesions, offering more details than the native scan. When available, MPMCTA should be used as a standard in order to enhance the forensic classic investigation of ballistic deaths.
Keywords: postmortem CT, post mortem CT angiography, gunshot, trajectory, entrance and exit wound, projectile.