Forensic Radiography

When the average person hears the word “forensics” the first thought to pop into their head is “CSI”. The word forensics alone simply means to use scientific methods and techniques to investigate a crime. This doesn’t specify what type of crime or what kind of scientific methods are being used. Forensics can even include radiology. It is not just detectives finding a murderer.Forensics radiography is used most commonly to determine cause of death or injury. The use of a CT scan is used to identify a person’s remains at a local medical examiner office. Forensics radiography is very helpful for mass casualty incidents. Radiologic evidence can be used in both civil and criminal court cases. The evidence can be investigated to determine fraud or assault.For radiologic evidence to be used in the court of law, it needs to be very high quality. The radiologist must examine the scans and clearly mark the area in question. The radiologist will likely be questioned in court to give an expert analysis of the scans.Forensic radiography is commonly used in domestic violence cases. The radiologist can determine exactly where the break was made and can see any old breaks that may not have healed correctly. The victims will sometimes attribute the break to some other cause. A radiologist can determine how the break was caused by how it looks. A break caused by excessive force of violence will look different than a break caused by a fall.Autopsies are used to determine the cause of death. Forensic radiography is used for victims of a mass casualty. The scans can identify humans and find foreign objects. The scans give doctors a permanent record of the deceased person’s anatomy.After the tragic 9/11 crash, over 200 military and federal personnel assisted in identifying bodies. Forensic radiography played a major role in identifying these bodies. The scans can identify bodies by looking at the features and determining the age of the victim.Forensic radiography was first used as early as the 19th century. It was first used to find drug smugglers. Diagnostic imaging can also be used to detect any foreign objects that a person might have swallowed.In 1991, forensic radiography made an interesting discovery. An iceman was found in the Tyrolean Alps. The corpse was over 5,000 years old. The forensic radiography discovered how the man initially died and how his body became frozen.Forensic radiography has provided so much information for courts and researchers for many years. The technology has only been improving, so radiologists are constantly learning.Desert radiologists in Las Vegas have all been well-trained. Patients are constantly giving positive feedback about their experience at Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging Center. Every radiology procedure can be provided at any of the six locations in Las Vegas. Whether you are a patient in need of a simple x-ray or a victim of domestic violence trying to prove your case, the radiologists can help you. For more information about forensic radiography or to schedule an appointment, contact 702.732.6000.