Ankh in the depth - Subdermal 3D art implants: Radiological identification with body modification

Area of Science:

• Forensic Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Anthropology

Background:

• Forensic identification of the deceased is a critical medico-legal task.
• Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) is an increasingly utilized radiological identification method.
• Medical implants are commonly used as markers for comparing antemortem and postmortem images.

Observation:

• Non-medical implants, specifically subdermal three-dimensional (3D) art implants, can also serve as effective markers for radiological identification.
• Subdermal 3D art implants, a form of body modification, have gained popularity in recent decades.
• This is the first reported case of radiological identification utilizing a subdermal 3D art implant.

Findings:

• The study details the characteristics of a silicone 3D art implant as visualized on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and X-rays.
• Demonstrates the utility of these non-traditional implants in forensic identification procedures.
• Highlights the distinct imaging features of silicone 3D art implants across multiple radiological modalities.

Implications:

• The increasing prevalence of 3D art implants suggests their greater future use in forensic radiological identification.
• This case expands the range of markers available for identifying unknown individuals in forensic investigations.
• Provides valuable imaging data for forensic professionals encountering subdermal 3D art implants in deceased persons.