Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

[Roentgen identification of unknown cadavers with advanced postmortem changes].

T Riepert1, C Rittner

  • 1Institut für Rechtsmedizin der Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

Zeitschrift Fur Rechtsmedizin. Journal of Legal Medicine
|January 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Advanced decomposition prevented standard identification. Forensic radiology successfully identified two bodies by comparing antemortem and postmortem X-rays, highlighting unique skeletal markers.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

[Autopsies at the boundary between pathology and forensic medicine : Suggestions for interdisciplinary cooperation].

Der Pathologe·2017
Same author

Age estimation based on pictures and videos presumably showing child or youth pornography—reply to Arlan L. Rosenbloom.

International journal of legal medicine·2014
Same author

Age estimation based on pictures and videos presumably showing child or youth pornography.

International journal of legal medicine·2014
Same author

[Responsible dealing with sexuality. Recommendations in a clinical institution].

Der Nervenarzt·2011
Same author

[Autopsy - a current classic].

Der Pathologe·2010
Same author

[Forensic medicine and the overlap with pathology].

Der Pathologe·2010

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Radiology
  • Postmortem Investigations

Background:

  • Standard identification methods are often ineffective on bodies with advanced postmortem changes.
  • Drowning and burning can lead to significant decomposition, complicating identification.
  • Radiographic imaging offers a potential alternative for identifying remains.

Observation:

  • Two cases presented with severe postmortem changes due to drowning and burning.
  • Antemortem roentgenograms (X-rays) were available for comparison, some up to 10 years old.
  • Postmortem X-ray plates were obtained from the unidentified remains.

Findings:

  • A direct comparison between antemortem and postmortem X-ray images enabled positive identification in both cases.
  • The skeleton possesses unique, specific markers that remain unchanged throughout life and after death.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Radiographic comparison is a viable method for identification when conventional methods fail.

    • Implications:

    • Forensic radiology using skeletal markers can overcome challenges posed by advanced decomposition.
    • This technique is crucial for establishing identity in difficult forensic cases.
    • The persistence of skeletal markers underscores their value in identification, even across significant time intervals.