Identifying and documenting osseous trauma from shark attacks by post mortem CT examination and autopsy

Area of Science:

• Forensic pathology
• Radiology
• Marine biology

Background:

• Shark attacks are rare but can cause severe injuries.
• Accurate documentation of injuries is crucial for forensic analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of post-mortem CT with 3D reconstruction in analyzing bone injuries from a shark attack.
• To compare imaging findings with autopsy results.

Main Methods:

• Computed tomography (CT) with 3D volume rendering was performed on a deceased individual following a shark attack.
• Autopsy and pathological examination were conducted.
• Silicone casting of bone lesions was utilized.

Main Results:

• CT revealed an above-knee amputation and extensive soft tissue damage.
• 3D CT showed bone gouges, cortical bone shaving, and a V-shaped defect but no tooth fragments.
• Autopsy confirmed these injuries and identified fine parallel cross-striations on bone consistent with white shark teeth serrations.

Conclusions:

• Post-mortem CT with high-resolution 3D reconstruction is valuable for assessing the nature and extent of bony injuries in shark attack cases.
• Pathological examination is complementary, revealing microscopic details like tooth serrations.
• 3D rendering can help identify or exclude tooth fragments, and silicone casting provides a permanent record of bone lesions.