Forensic Radiology and Imaging for Veterinary Radiologists

Abstract

Imaging studies are often of evidentiary value in medicolegal investigations involving animals and the role of the veterinary radiologist is to interpret those images for courts as an expert or opinion witness. With progressing interest in prosecuting animal crimes and strengthening of penalties for crimes against animals, the participation of veterinary radiologists in medicolegal investigations is expected to increase. Veterinary radiologists who are aware of radiographic and imaging signs that result in animal suffering, abuse, or neglect; knowledgeable in ways radiology and imaging may support cause of death determinations; conversant in postmortem imaging; comfortable discussing mechanisms and timing of blunt or sharp force and projectile trauma in imaging; and prepared to identify mimics of abuse can assist court participants in understanding imaging evidence. The goal of this commentary review is to familiarize veterinary radiologists with the forensic radiology and imaging literature and with the advantages and disadvantages of various imaging modalities utilized in forensic investigations. Another goal is to provide background information for future research studies in veterinary forensic radiology and imaging.

Fractura mandibular múltiple en una zarigüeya (didelphis marsupialis), estudio radiológico forense

“…Este resultado revela la naturaleza frontal de los accidentes de vehículos en los casos analizados y está en consonancia con lo reportado por Contreras et al para la línea de visión preimpacto del conductor respecto al otro objeto (14). Las colisiones con las partes laterales de los vehículos se presentaron en el 9% de los casos analizados, que supera los 2.7% encontrados en los estudios de Bosio et al (15). Tan sólo un 2% de los casos analizados correspondió a impacto en la parte trasera del vehiculo, resultado que está en consonancia con el 3% de los estudios de Bosio et al (15).…”

“…Tan sólo un 2% de los casos analizados correspondió a impacto en la parte trasera del vehiculo, resultado que está en consonancia con el 3% de los estudios de Bosio et al (15). La lesión entonces dependerá de la velocidad y la cantidad de energía transmitida, el área de superficie sobre la cual la energía es aplicada, y las propiedades elásticas de los tejidos sobre los cuales se transfiere la energía aplicada (15).…”

Autopsy imaging for aspergillosis in King Penguin, an economically valuable zoo animal

“…Before the dissection, thickening of the membrane, suspected abscess, lung infiltration, and air sac contraction were determined. These findings facilitated the dissection workflow [12]. A. fumigatus abundantly produced spores on the air sac surface.…”

“…Autopsy imaging (Ai), which is conducted postmortem and before necropsy, is primarily used in human forensic medicine [8]. However, the term "autopsy" refers to human necropsy and is used even in the veterinary field [12]. In humans, Ai has been widely used to determine the cause of death from any medical treatment, to investigate suspicious deaths, and for public health survey purposes.…”

Post-mortem computed tomography angiography and forensic necropsy of a brown howler monkey: A case report

“…In veterinary medicine post-mortem radiology is a new field that has grown up fast and has helped the pathologists to achieve a more detailed evaluation of the deceased [1,2]. Nowadays, although the fact that post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and post-mortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA) are still not considered part of the widely routine in veterinary pathology, these techniques have being gradually introduced to improve the post-mortem diagnosis [3][4][5].…”