Using freely-available 3D software to reconstruct traumatic bone injuries detected with post mortem computed...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Medical Imaging
• 3D Visualization

Background:

• Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) is increasingly used for death investigation.
• Existing medical imaging software has limitations in direct anatomical data manipulation.
• Three-dimensional (3D) representations are common but often lack interactive capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the utility of open-source 3D software for enhancing PMCT data analysis.
• To showcase advanced manipulation and visualization techniques for anatomical and pathological features.
• To encourage broader adoption of accessible 3D software in forensic and medical disciplines.

Main Methods:

• Extraction of anatomical features from PMCT scans.
• Importing data into open-source 3D manipulation software (Blender).
• Utilizing Blender for detailed pathological examination and anatomical demonstration, including image and animation production.

Main Results:

• Open-source software (Blender) enables superior manipulation of PMCT data compared to standard viewers.
• High-quality images and animations of anatomical features, such as lower limb fractures, can be produced.
• The technique offers an accessible and cost-effective solution for advanced 3D data analysis.

Conclusions:

• Open-source 3D software provides powerful, accessible tools for enhancing PMCT data analysis.
• This approach significantly improves pathological examination and anatomical demonstration capabilities.
• The methodology has broad applications beyond trauma analysis, encouraging further exploration by practitioners.