ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 13

Optical and Digital Techniques for Enhancing Radiographic Anatomy for Identification of Human Remains
Kaufman, BL
Carolina Associates in Imaging, NC

Shook, DR
Radiologist, Berks Imaging, MD

Charletta, D
Clinical assistant professor of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, TX

MacMahon, H
Professor of Radiology, University of Chicago, IL

Fitzpatrick, JJ
Chairman, Division of Trauma Radiology, Cook County Hospital, IL

Levine, LJ
Director, Forensic Sciences Unit, New York State Police, Division Headquarters, NY

Kirschner, RJ
Director, International Forensic Program, Physicians for Human Rights, DePaul University College of Law, IL

Wu, S-J
Senior software engineer, Motorola Corporation, IL

Maples, W
Distinguish Service Professor, C. A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, FL

(Received 11 October 1994; accepted 4 March 1996)

Abstract

Out of a total of more than 300 radiographic identifications made by one of us (JJF), there were 11 cases in which radiologic adjuncts were used because the antemortem radiographs were either miniaturized or because anatomical landmarks could not be clearly discerned. The techniques used included slide projection (two cases), photographic enlargement and enhancement (two cases), digitization (three cases), and digitization with computer enhancement (three cases), commercial digitization (one case). In a 12th case, where identification was made by comparison of antemortem and postmortem film X-rays, the films were digitized as a further evaluation of a commercial system. This is the first reported use of these techniques.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, forensic dentistry, X-ray identification, radiologic identification, identification, forensic radiology, digitization, computer image processing

Paper ID: JFS14030J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14030J
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