[Postmortem computed tomography of the frozen corpse].

Area of Science:

• Forensic Radiology
• Thanatology
• Medical Imaging

Context:

• Investigating unexplained deaths, particularly those discovered in environments conducive to freezing.
• Examining frozen remains presents unique challenges for traditional forensic methods.
• The need for advanced imaging techniques to analyze postmortem changes in frozen tissues.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the utility of pre-dissection computed tomography (CT) in identifying postmortem alterations in frozen cadavers.
• To document CT findings in frozen internal organs, which are rarely visualized in clinical settings.
• To correlate CT imaging characteristics with the effects of freezing on skeletal and organ tissues.

Summary:

• A case study involving a young woman found frozen in a forest is presented.
• Pre-dissection CT scans revealed distinct changes in the density and appearance of frozen internal organs.
• CT imaging successfully identified postmortem changes, corpse position during freezing, and the uniformity of the freezing process.

Impact:

• Demonstrates the potential of CT scans in forensic investigations of frozen remains.
• Provides novel insights into the imaging characteristics of frozen organs, expanding forensic radiology knowledge.
• Highlights CT as a valuable tool for non-invasive examination of frozen cadavers, aiding in determining cause and manner of death.