Journal Published Online: 05 May 2004
Volume 49, Issue 4

Virtopsy—Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident with Head Injury

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A man wearing no protective helmet was struck by a motor vehicle while riding a bicycle. He was loaded on his left side, and the impact point of his head was his occiput on the car roof girder. He was immediately transported to the general hospital, where he passed away. Postmortem examination using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) revealed an extensively comminuted fracture of the posterior part and the base of the skull. Observed were deep direct and contrecoup brain bruises, with the independent fractures of the roof of the both orbits. Massive subdural and subarachnoidal hemorrhage with cerebral edema and shifting of the mid-line towards left side were also detected. MSCT and autopsy results were compared and the body injuries were correlated to vehicle damages. In conclusion, postmortem imaging is a good forensic visualization tool with great potential for documentation and examination of body injuries and pathology.

Author Information

Aghayev, E
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
Thali, M
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
Jackowski, C
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
Sonnenschein, M
Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Switzerland
Yen, K
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
Vock, P
Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Switzerland
Dirnhofer, R
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
Pages: 5
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JFS2003378
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003378