ABSTRACT
Since our initial experience with these victims of ballistic trauma, we have had the opportunity to image a comprehensive range of causes of death and compared them to the complete autopsy that followed. We learned that MDCT provides a wealth of anatomic data prior to autopsy that are invaluable in many but not all causes of death. We also continue to obtain radiographs in all cases. Radiography is considered to be essential because of its excellent resolution and absence of artifacts. It is also the imaging modality of choice to evaluate subtle bone detail and dissociated body fragments and for the anthropologic evaluation of skeletal remains. In contrast to radiography, the role of MDCT in our practice is to provide a two-dimensional multiplanar and three-dimensional anatomic survey prior
FIGURE 1.1 Radiographs from the investigation of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon were obtained to assist in the recovery and identi—cation of human remains. (a) Multiple bone fragments are present and commingled with wires and natural debris. (b) Debris containing bone fragments of skeletally immature victim. Arrows show physeal plates of a —nger and wrist. (c) Fragment of a victim’s spine shows embedded debris and vertebral body fractures.
