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| CSI and Digital Autopsy Animation Video (Click on the image) |
The term AUTOPSY
has already been adapted and is familiar in the world of Forensic Medicine. The
CSI affect more or less influences in appreciative of common people in the
field of Forensics Application. Autopsy, also known as post-mortem examination
is usually performed by specialized medical doctor in order to determine the
cause and manner of death. It normally includes surgery and invasive
examination to the dead body. It can be done for either legal or medical
purposes.
DIGITAL AUTOPSY is a complementary approach to classical autopsy. Instead of
cutting the cadaver, the dead body will be sent for scanning first, followed by
rendering of the body DICOM data into 3D digital body. Forensic expert can perform
digital autopsy on the body using the advanced medical visualization software
system. If the result is found to be inconclusive, the body can undergoes
autopsy in more targeted and educated manner. Digital Autopsy analyzes the 3D
volume data generated from Medical Modern Imaging Modalities such as CT scanner
or MRI Scanner with direct volume rendering techniques. The cadaver
remains in a sealed body bag throughout the procedure to avoid loss of forensic
evidences, or the spread of disease and bacteria.
Digital Autopsy applies
special Forensic Workflow. It’s not just a Diagnostic Imaging Technology but
has a specific focus in forensic investigation. Examining a dead body might not
be as simple as the normal living patient. These are due to few points such as,
the posture of body is not in anatomical position; dismembered organ or
extremities; the body might undergo decomposition or skeletonization; and in
case of exhumation the body will muddle up with soil, rock or sand which can
appear as artifact in the 3D visualization. Thus, Forensic Experts need to have
specific training in this field.
There are some findings
that are difficult to prove and visualize in conventional autopsy but can be
easily seen in full body CT, such as air in the lung or within the body,
pattern of fracture, detection of metal object, wound or bullet tract, examination
of fracture in vertebra or inaccessible area, foreign object in digestive
tract, hemorrhage to eye lens etc.
Digital Autopsy allows
expert or forensic pathologist to do autopsy not just once, but they can redo
and ask for second opinion. The raw data acquired from the CT modality make it
possible as the exact raw data can’t be modified or disturbed. Data can be kept
in database with implementation of security measure to be available at any
time. This can be kept forever as an archive or for purpose of medical study
and research.
Digital Autopsy becomes a
complement workflow in autopsy procedure. Forensic Pathologist should practice
digital autopsy which can aid them to come out with certain finding in the post
mortem. With availability of crime scene data, photograph and reconstruction
model, Forensic Expert can simulate and test the hypothesis for the manner of
death of that particular case. Last but not least, Digital Autopsy can reduce
the autopsy time session and give more descriptive and objective visual report.
TV3- Buletin
Utama The Star UK (Click on the image)
