Accuracy of forensic pathologists in incorporating post-mortem CT (PMCT) in forensic death investigation

• NCJ Number: 305232
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: Online Dated: September 2022
• Author(s): Yohsuke Makino; Kana Unuma; Kurt B. Nolte; Natalie L. Adolphi
• Date Published: September 2022
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2016-DN-BX-K002
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Award: Evaluation of the Routine Use of CT Scanning to Supplant or Supplement Autopsy in a High-Volume Medical Examiner's Office

Annotation

This paper shares the results of an integrated problem-solving intervention situated within a comprehensive approach.

Abstract

Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) is now performed routinely in some medical examiner's offices, and the images are typically interpreted by forensic pathologists. In this study, the question of whether pathologists appropriately identify significant PMCT findings and incorporate them into the death investigation report and the cause and manner of death (COD and MOD) statements was addressed. We retrospectively reviewed 200 cases where PMCT was performed. The cases were divided into four categories: (1) full autopsy without radiology consultation (n = 77), (2) external exam without radiology consultation (n = 79), (3) full autopsy with radiology consultation (n = 26), (4) external exam with radiology consultation (n = 18). A radiologist (not the consult radiologist) read the PMCT images, and a pathologist (not the case pathologist) reviewed the case pathologist's post-mortem examination report in tandem to determine any PMCT findings omitted from the report. Omitted findings were classified into error types according to a modified Goldman classification including Major 1: Unrecognized fatal injury or pathology that would change COD and/or MOD, and Major 2: Unrecognized fatal injury or pathology that would not change COD and/or MOD. A total of 13 Major errors were identified (6.5%), and none definitively changed the MOD. All four Major-1 errors which could change the COD were found in Category 2. Of 9 Major-2 errors, 2 occurred in Category 1, 6 occurred in Category 2, and 1 occurred in Category 4. In conclusion, forensic pathologists who routinely utilize computed tomography (CT) interpret CT images well enough to reliably certify the COD and MOD. (Publisher abstract provided)