The added value of postmortem magnetic resonance imaging in cases of hanging compared to postmortem computed tomography and autopsy

Deininger-Czermak, Eva; Heimer, Jakob; Tappero, Carlo; Thali, Michael J; Gascho, Dominic

doi:10.1007/s12024-020-00233-4

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Deininger-Czermak, E., Heimer, J., Tappero, C., Thali, M. J., & Gascho, D. (2020). The added value of postmortem magnetic resonance imaging in cases of hanging compared to postmortem computed tomography and autopsy. Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, 16, 234–242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-020-00233-4

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the added value of postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to postmortem computed tomography (CT) and autopsy in cases of fatal hanging. In addition, the study analyzed the strengths of each examination method regarding typical injuries in these cases. We investigated a cohort of 25 decedents who underwent CT, MRI and autopsy. Two radiologists assessed all MR images of the head and neck as well as the corresponding CT images. The results were compared to autopsy findings by retros