[Wrong statement of manner of death after insufficient post-mortem examination]. / Fehlerhafte Angabe der Todesart nach insuffizienter Leichenschau.

When death certificates already completed are submitted during forensic post-mortem examinations or autopsies, blatant errors are often found, especially with regard to the classification of the manner of death. This is partly attributable to insufficient knowledge of the classification criteria, but also to the fact that the post-mortem examination was not properly performed and even clear signs of unnatural death (e.g. a strangulation mark or sharp force injuries) are overlooked. To avoid such misinterpretations, a thorough reformation of the post-mortem examination system and a regular continuing specialized training of the physicians performing post-mortems seem necessary.

[Conventional radiology versus the increasing importance of post-mortem computed tomography]. / Konventionelle Radiologie im Zeitalter (zunehmender Bedeutung) der postmortalen Computertomographie.

Radiological imaging can provide valuable additional information, facilitate and improve the quality of subsequent autopsy. Although the use of cross-sectional imaging methods is increasing, they are not always available in medico-legal practice. In many cases it is advisable to perform conventional X-rays before autopsy, especially in cases of gunshot injuries, as illustrated by a case in which the victim suffered several gunshot wounds with one projectile lodged in a vertebral body. The radiological findings essentially contributed to the rapid location of the projectiles and the reconstruction of the bullet paths.

Indicatory external findings in two cases of fatal cervical spine injury.

A fatality of an 83-year-old female experiencing acute circulatory failure as a result of a type II odontoid fracture is compared with the case of an 86-year-old female who died from delayed cardiopulmonary complications due to a lower cervical spine injury. Falls on the forehead from minor height can cause odontoid fractures especially in elderly patients, hyperextension of the neck on the other hand can lead to lower cervical spine injury with prevertebral hematoma. The latter can lead to extensive hematoma of the neck, but might be difficult to diagnose by computed tomography in the living patient. Especially in cases of elderly patients showing bruises on the forehead or extensive neck hematoma, the possibility of cervical spine fracture should be taken into account and postmortem examinations should be arranged commensurately.