Identification of an Unknown Corpse by Means of Computed Tomography (CT) of the Lumbar Spine

For the first time, a case is described in which an unknown corpse is identified by the comparison of antemortem and postmortem computed tomographic (CT) images. A posterolateral disc herniation at L5-S1 on the right side, Schmorl's nodes and a lucency in the ilium were found in identical locations in each case. Additionally there were characteristic morphological similarities in the vertebral bodies, spinous processes, transverse processes and neural arches. In CT identification, as in conventional radiographic identification, one must try to reproduce comparable scanning conditions and images because apparent differences in the roentgenological morphology can occur as a result of differen…

Identification of unknown dead bodies by X-ray image comparison of the skull using the X-ray simulation program FoXSIS.

The aim of the study was to improve the objectivity of X-ray image comparison for the identification of unknown dead individuals. CT-data were collected for 30 macerated skulls. An already presented computer program which uses CT data to establish virtual X-ray images was used to obtain X-rays with different beam angulations simulating rotation, dorsal flexion, and ventral flexion. Specific parameters were measured on the simulated images. The frontal sinus reveals the highest variability not only between the individual skulls but also within an individual skull in different positions. The most consistent parameters with respect to different positions were the skull breadth, the biorbital b…

Erratum to “Identification of unknown dead bodies by X-ray image comparison of the skull using the X-ray simulation program FoXSIS” [Forensic Sci. Int. 117 (2001) 89–98]