Postmortem Computed Tomography Imaging and Autopsy in Penetrating Neck Injury Case: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Objective: This study compares and contrasts traditional autopsy with postmortem computed tomography in a homicide case of penetrating neck injury.
Method: Autopsy and postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) findings were compared.
Results: PMCT demonstrates the presence of air embolism, surgical emphysema, the direction of the wound, entry, and weapon trajectory. Autopsy proved helpful in terms of external examination.
Conclusion: PMCT was superior to the internal inspection at autopsy in the presented case and has added value for detecting additional findings regarding the cause of death. However, a combination of both techniques increases the quality of postmortem evaluation.