Digital Forensic Osteology--Possibilities in Cooperation with the Virtopsy Project

• NCJ Number: 222197
• Journal: Forensic Science International Volume: 174 Issue: 2-3 Dated: January 2008 Pages: 152-156
• Author(s): Marcel A. Verhoff; Frank Ramsthaler; Jonathan Krahahn; Ulf Deml; Ralf J. Gille; Silke Grabherr; Michael J. Thali; Kerstin Kreutz
• Date Published: January 2008
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This pilot study examined whether classic osteometric (bone measurement) parameters could be determined from the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scans produced in the Virtopsy project, which involves the collection of whole-body postmortem MSCT scans at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern (Switzerland).

Abstract

The study showed that digital skeletons based on the 3D reconstruction of postmortem MSCT scans acquired in the Virtopsy project are suitable for the examination of classic osteometric parameters. This opens up new possibilities for the collection of modern population-relevant osteometric data from individuals with known and widespread particulars of identity. The study found that equal osteometric values can be obtained from 3D reconstructions based on MSCT scans with a slice thickness of 1.25 mm and from conventional manual ("analog") examinations. The errors in measuring attributable to the system and the individual examiners are comparable for both methods. Future objectives are the assessment and biostatistical evaluation with respect to sex, age, and stature of all datasets stored in the Virtopsy project now and in the future. A definition of new parameters, only measurable with the aid of MSCT data would be useful. Four isolated and macerated skulls were examined by six examiners. First, the skulls were conventionally (manually) measured using 32 internationally accepted linear measurements. Then the skulls were scanned with MSCT with slice thicknesses of 1.25 mm and 0.63 mm; and the 33 measurements were virtually determined on the digital 3D reconstructions of the skulls. The results were compared for each examiner. Several parameters were measured on the cranium and postcranium during an autopsy and compared to the values that had been measured on a 3D reconstruction from a previously acquired postmortem MSCT scan. 1 table, 2 figures, and 37 references