Gascho Dominic
Department of Forensic Medicine and Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Front Radiol. 2024 Sep 16;4:1463236. doi: 10.3389/fradi.2024.1463236. eCollection 2024.
This article explores the potential of photon-counting computed tomography (CT) in forensic medicine for a range of forensic applications. Photon-counting CT surpasses conventional CT in several key areas. It boasts superior spatial and contrast resolution, enhanced image quality at low x-ray energies, and spectral imaging capabilities that enable more precise material differentiation. These advantages translate to superior visualization of bone structures, foreign bodies, and soft tissues in postmortem examinations. The article discusses the technical principles of photon-counting CT detectors and highlights its potential applications in forensic imaging, including high-resolution virtual autopsies, pediatric forensic CT, trauma analysis, and bone density measurements. Furthermore, advancements in vascular imaging and soft tissue contrast promise to propel CT-based death investigations to an even more prominent role. The article concludes by emphasizing the immense potential of this new technology in forensic medicine and anthropology.
本文探讨了光子计数计算机断层扫描（CT）在法医学中用于一系列法医应用的潜力。光子计数CT在几个关键领域超越了传统CT。它具有卓越的空间和对比度分辨率，在低X射线能量下图像质量得到增强，并且具备光谱成像能力，能够实现更精确的物质区分。这些优势在尸体解剖检查中转化为对骨骼结构、异物和软组织的卓越可视化。本文讨论了光子计数CT探测器的技术原理，并强调了其在法医成像中的潜在应用，包括高分辨率虚拟尸检、儿科法医CT、创伤分析和骨密度测量。此外，血管成像和软组织对比度方面的进展有望推动基于CT的死亡调查发挥更突出的作用。本文最后强调了这项新技术在法医学和人类学中的巨大潜力。
