The high cost of commercial components and parts for post-mortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA) has resulted in the development of a very low cost PMCTA-kit. It contains ubiquitous parts from hardware stores, and rapid prototyping derived models for 3D-printing. Design specifications have been tested and improved after finite-element modeling. A case study performed in using the final PMCTA kit parts for a PMCTA shows perfect vascular contrast without relevant leaks.
Suitcases or other containers are occasionally involved in forensic investigations. If there is a suspicion that human remains are hidden inside such a container, medico-legal examinations are required. However, these containers are occasionally locked. Forced opening of a locked suitcase or container may cause damage to its contents. Additionally, the safety of the investigator has to be considered as such containers may be booby-trapped or contain other hazardous material. An overview of the contents before opening is desirable in order to avoid the possibility of encountering a Pandora's box. In forensic medicine, an established approach to examine the inside of a body before opening at autopsy is postmortem computed tomography (CT). However, there may be a reluctance to use this approach for suitcases or containers with metallic components because of the assumption that severe metal artifacts will result in inadequate images. In this article, we present a forensic case in which a CT scan of a metallic suitcase was performed in order to examine its contents. Additionally, we performed an experimental scan of a conventional safe in order to determine if CT is able to reveal the contents of such a highly radiopaque storage box.
We examined the possibility of inflicting serious injuries with sharp objects in an experimental setting by throwing four sharp objects from different distances and with different throwing techniques. Using an overarm-handle (OA/H), overarm-blade (OA/B), underarm-handle (UA/H), underarm-blade (UA/B) and thrust (T/H) throwing technique, 10 adults (sex ratio 1:1) threw a chef's knife, a skinning knife, a paring knife and office scissors from 4 m and 2 m distance at synthetic abdomen models made of 10% gelatin covered with synthetic skin. The amount of hits and penetrations of the target and their penetration depth were noted, as was the rotation of the blade tip towards the target along its flight trajectory. The chef's knife injury/hit ratio was 0.167/4 m and 0.160/2 m; the skinning knife recorded an injury/hit ratio of 0.087/4 m and 0.153/2 m; the paring knife of 0.087/4 m and 0.113/2 m; and the scissors 0.087/4 m and 0.067/2 m. Mean penetration depths were as follows: the chef's knife: 4 m, 4.42 cm, 2 m, 3.41 cm; the skinning knife: 4 m, 4.19 cm, 2 m, 4.11 cm; the paring knife: 4 m, 1.62 cm, 2 m, 1.55 cm; and the scissors: 4 m, 2.08 cm, 2 m, 0.95 cm. Handle-throw penetration-depths were: 4 m: 3.77 cm and 2 m: 2.86 cm; blade-throw depths were: 4 m: 3.14 cm and 2 m: 2.69 cm. Overarm-throw penetration-depths were: 4 m: 3.62 cm and 2 m: 3.25 cm; and underarm-throw penetration-depths were 4 m: 3.30 cm and 2 m: 2.30 cm. No thrust-throws with the paring knife and scissors could pierce the target. The tips pointed toward the target at angles of 60°-120°, earlier in handle-throws than blade-throws, especially with the paring knife and the scissors. When thrown, especially with a handle-held technique, heavier objects pierced more often and more deeply. Thrust-throws at short distances are unlikely to pierce a human.
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