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Clinical forensic radiology in strangulation victims: forensic expertise based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings

Yen, Kathrin ; Vock, Peter ; Christe, Andreas ; Scheurer, Eva ; Plattner, Thomas ; Schön, Corinna ; Aghayev, Emin ; Jackowski, Christian ; Beutler, Verena ; Thali, Michael ; Dirnhofer, Richard

In: International Journal of Legal Medicine, 2007, vol. 121, no. 2, p. 115-123

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    Titre
    • Clinical forensic radiology in strangulation victims: forensic expertise based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings
    Auteur
    • Yen, Kathrin. Medical University of Graz, Center of Theoretical-Clinical Medicine, Forensic, Pathologic and Anatomic Imaging, Harrachgasse 21, 8010, Graz, Austria
    • Vock, Peter. Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Inselspital Bern, Freiburgstr. 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Christe, Andreas. Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Inselspital Bern, Freiburgstr. 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Scheurer, Eva. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, IRM-Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Plattner, Thomas. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, IRM-Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Schön, Corinna. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, IRM-Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Aghayev, Emin. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, IRM-Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Jackowski, Christian. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, IRM-Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Beutler, Verena. Department of Clinical Research, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Methodology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
    • Thali, Michael. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, IRM-Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    • Dirnhofer, Richard. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, IRM-Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Langue
    • Anglais
    Publié dans
    • International Journal of Legal Medicine, 2007, vol. 121, no. 2, p. 115-123. Springer-Verlag
    Autre version électronique
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:317606
    Summary
    Based on only one objective and several subjective signs, the forensic classification of strangulation incidents concerning their life-threatening quality can be problematic. Reflecting that it is almost impossible to detect internal injuries of the neck with the standard forensic external examination, we examined 14 persons who have survived manual and ligature strangulation or forearm choke holds using MRI technique (1.5-T scanner). Two clinical radiologists evaluated the neck findings independently. The danger to life was evaluated based on the "classical” external findings alone and in addition to the radiological data. We observed hemorrhaging in the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the neck in ten cases. Other frequent findings were hemorrhages of the neck and larynx muscles, the lymph nodes, the pharynx, and larynx soft tissues. Based on the classical forensic strangulation findings with MRI, eight of the cases were declared as life-endangering incidents, four of them without the presence of petechial hemorrhage but with further signs of impaired brain function due to hypoxia. The accuracy of future forensic classification of the danger to life will probably be increased when it is based not only on one objective and several subjective signs but also on the evidence of inner neck injuries. However, further prospective studies including larger cohorts are necessary to clarify the value of the inner neck injuries in the forensic classification of surviving strangulation victims