Citation

Burton JL, Kitsanta P. Diagnostic Histopathology 2020; 26(8): 358-367.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020)

DOI

10.1016/j.mpdhp.2020.05.004

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The digital autopsy has gained increasing attention in the past decade as post mortem computed tomography has become more widely available. Whether conducted with, or without, radiographic contrast, digital autopsies have been shown to be a valuable adjunct to invasive examinations in the investigation of natural and unnatural deaths. This radiology investigation has the potential to reduce the number of full invasive autopsies performed, allowing for more targeted, or limited, invasive examinations. In certain deaths, the digital autopsy may obviate the need for an invasive examination entirely. This article considers the daily use of post mortem computed tomography in routine coronial autopsy practice in a busy public mortuary in England. The integration of the digital autopsy into the investigation of natural deaths (including decomposing and embalmed bodies) is first considered before dealing with commonly encountered unnatural deaths after surgery, industrial disease, trauma, drug overdose and suicides. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; injury; Review; autopsy; cause of death; hanging; drug overdose; illicit drug; computer assisted tomography; postoperative period; cardiovascular disease; respiratory tract disease; gastrointestinal disease; musculoskeletal disease; central nervous system disease; liver disease; decomposition; urogenital tract disease; self immolation; gas; pancreas disease; morgue; bile duct disease; digital autopsy; embalming; necropsy; PMCT