Post-mortem forensic imaging

For autopsies, in addition to classical non-enhanced post-mortem computed tomographies, (PMCT), an innovative technique consists in post-mortem vascular opacification. It is called post-mortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA) and the most widespread method is multiphase PMCTA (MPMCTA). It permits the diagnosis and characterization of vascular lesions. Another radiological technique is the post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMR). Its great advantage is the optimal spontaneous inter-tissular contrast. The development of PMMR angiography (PMMRA) seems to be promising for post-mortem cardio-vascular explorations. 3D surface scanning combined with photogrammetry permits the documentation of information such as texture and colour, which may be combined with PMCT reconstructions, the surface scanning of objects or the environment of a deceased person, to perform virtual reconstitutions of the events. In forensic anthropology, PMCT is also very useful for identification purposes (comparative, reconstructive and lesional identification).