EVU XXVI 2017 – 21 Why should we use radiology for the examination of deceased road traffic victims?


Why should we use radiology for the examination of deceased
road traffic victims?
I.I.H Haest1*, LL.M J. Kroll1, J. van der Goes2, Prof. dr. P.A.M Hofman1
1Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands,
2Dutch Police, Region Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands
*Corresponding author; e-mail: ingrid.haest@mumc.nl

Abstract

Fatal traffic accidents impose a severe burden on society. Apart from an external examination of the
body, no medical forensic examination is performed in the Netherlands on deceased road traffic victims.
Medical imaging techniques can reveal injuries in deceased victims and this information can be used to
assess the cause and manner of death. In this paper we illustrate the potential contribution that imaging
of deceased vulnerable road users can make to determine the cause of death and the reconstruction of
the accident. Between 2012 and 2017, the public prosecutor requested thirteen forensic radiology
examinations for fatal road traffic accidents involving vulnerable road users. In all cases the cause of
death could be determined based on the PMCT. In the majority of cases we were able to differentiate
between primary and secondary injuries and in eleven cases we could identify the point of impact.
Determining the speed of the motorized vehicle based on the injury pattern alone is not possible, but the
injury pattern does show whether it was a high- or low-energy impact. A total body PMCT provides
comprehensive information on injuries and injury patterns in vulnerable road users who die in road
accidents. In combination with an external examination, it will yield most of the information needed for
a reconstruction including a 3D reconstruction.

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AutoreI.I.H Haest1*, LL.M J. Kroll1, J. van der Goes2, Prof. dr. P.A.M Hofman1 1Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands, 2Dutch Police, Region Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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