Status of routine post-mortem computerized tomography in Odense, Denmark

 

In February 2006 a dual slice CT scanner was installed at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Odense, Denmark. Since that time a CT-scanning has been performed on all bodies prior to autopsy. This article provides an overview of the experience gained.  We found that computerized tomography rarely is a substitute for autopsy, but may contribute with important new information in many cases such as identifications (including mass-disasters), battered child, gunshot wounds, traffic accidents and air embolism. Computerized tomography provides documentation in digital form - easily stored - permits review by others and provides pictures that may be more suitable for presentation in court than autopsy photos.