Application of Postmortem 3D-CT Facial Reconstruction for Personal Identification

• NCJ Number: 232902
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2010 Pages: 1624-1629
• Author(s): Ayaka Sakuma, D.D.S.; Masuko Ishii, M.Sc.; Seiji Yamamoto, M.D., Ph.D.; Ryota Shimofusa, M.D., Ph.D.; Kazuhiro Kobayashi, M.Sc.; Hisako Motani, D.D.S., Ph.D.; Mutsumi Hayakawa, M.D., Ph.D.; Daisuke Yajima, M.D., Ph.D.; Hisako Takeichi, Ph.D.; Hirotaro Iwase, M.D., Ph.D.
• Date Published: November 2010
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined postmortem 3D-CT facial reconstruction.

Abstract

Postmortem computed tomography (CT) images can show internal findings related to the cause of death, and it can be a useful method for forensic diagnosis. In this study, we scanned a ready-made box by helical CT on 2-mm slices in a mobile CT scanner and measured each side of the box to assess whether reconstructed images are useful for superimposition. The mean difference between the actual measurements and the measurements on the three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed images (3D-CT images) is 0.9 mm; we regarded it as having no effect on reconstruction for the superimposition method. Furthermore, we could get 3D-CT images of the skull, which were consistent with the actual skull, indicating that CT images can be applied to superimposition for identification. This study suggested that postmortem CT images can be applied as superimpositions for unidentified cases, and thinner slices or cone beam CT can be a more precise tool. (Published Abstract)