Post-mortem computed tomography in the investigation of conflict and terrorist related deaths: UK military experience of developing a multidisciplinary service

I Gibb; R Delaney; D Murphy; N Hunt

doi:10.1016/j.crad.2022.07.007

Post-mortem computed tomography in the investigation of conflict and terrorist related deaths: UK military experience of developing a multidisciplinary service

Clin Radiol. 2023 Nov;78(11):804-811. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2022.07.007. Epub 2022 Aug 26.

Authors

I Gibb¹, R Delaney², D Murphy³, N Hunt⁴

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Blast Injury Studies, Imperial College London, London, UK; Centre for Defence Radiology, c/o HMS Nelson, Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. Electronic address: i.gibb@imperial.ac.uk.
² South West Forensic Pathology Group Practice.
³ Metropolitan Police Force, New Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2JL, UK.
⁴ Home Office Registered Forensic Pathologist (Retired).

PMID: 36031431
DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2022.07.007

Abstract

This paper discusses the introduction, development and utility of post-mortem imaging relating specifically to conflict-related and terrorist-related deaths and considers the use of computed tomography (CT) in the investigations. We demonstrate how a multi-disciplinary approach involving direct communication between forensic pathologist and radiologist can maximise evidential yield, reduce the need for unnecessary dissection and further our understanding of such injuries. This summarises our shared experience of hundreds of cases, each having been individually discussed and reviewed, and has helped shape our understanding of conflict injury as well as contributing to the development of mitigation strategies and adaptations to protective equipment. A series of clinical cases are presented to demonstrate some of the strengths and weaknesses of the process.

Keywords: Computed tomography; Military; Pathology; Post-mortem; Radiology.

Publication types

Review