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Background <p>Postmortem computed tomography plays an important role in modern forensic investigations, particularly in disaster victim identification, where flexible and deployable imaging solutions are required. However, the use of whole-body postmortem computed tomography remains limited by the infrastructure demands of conventional computed tomography systems. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a standardized whole-body imaging protocol for a mobile cone-beam computed tomography system. A dedicated protocol was established in collaboration with the manufacturer through an iterative development process, including dose modulation, infrared tracking, and automated image stitching. The finalized protocol was applied in ten forensic cases. Sequential acquisitions along the longitudinal body axis were combined into a single dataset, while simultaneously acquired optical images were used for photogrammetric surface reconstruction.</p> Results <p>Whole-body imaging was successfully achieved in all cases, providing continuous anatomical coverage from head to feet. Skeletal structures and implanted devices were clearly visualized, with adequate soft tissue depiction for general assessment. Image stitching enabled seamless integration of sequential scans without relevant artifacts. Surface reconstruction was feasible in all cases, although mesh quality was limited by the camera system. In addition, the system enabled rapid acquisition of conventional radiographs and targeted high-resolution imaging of selected regions.</p> Conclusions <p>Mobile cone-beam computed tomography enables feasible whole-body postmortem imaging with integrated surface documentation. The combination of whole-body imaging, targeted acquisitions, radiographic imaging, and simultaneous surface documentation represents a versatile approach for forensic workflows and may be particularly valuable in disaster victim identification scenarios. Further technical refinements and larger studies are warranted.</p>

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Development and feasibility of a 3D whole-body protocol with integrated surface documentation in a mobile cone-beam CT system for applications in forensic imaging and disaster victim identification

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月13日

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  • Dominic Gascho,
  • Anastasiia Parii,
  • Felix Ginzinger,
  • Herbert Biber,
  • Heinz Deutschmann,
  • Michael Thali,
  • Philipp Steininger

摘要

Background

Postmortem computed tomography plays an important role in modern forensic investigations, particularly in disaster victim identification, where flexible and deployable imaging solutions are required. However, the use of whole-body postmortem computed tomography remains limited by the infrastructure demands of conventional computed tomography systems. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a standardized whole-body imaging protocol for a mobile cone-beam computed tomography system. A dedicated protocol was established in collaboration with the manufacturer through an iterative development process, including dose modulation, infrared tracking, and automated image stitching. The finalized protocol was applied in ten forensic cases. Sequential acquisitions along the longitudinal body axis were combined into a single dataset, while simultaneously acquired optical images were used for photogrammetric surface reconstruction.

Results

Whole-body imaging was successfully achieved in all cases, providing continuous anatomical coverage from head to feet. Skeletal structures and implanted devices were clearly visualized, with adequate soft tissue depiction for general assessment. Image stitching enabled seamless integration of sequential scans without relevant artifacts. Surface reconstruction was feasible in all cases, although mesh quality was limited by the camera system. In addition, the system enabled rapid acquisition of conventional radiographs and targeted high-resolution imaging of selected regions.

Conclusions

Mobile cone-beam computed tomography enables feasible whole-body postmortem imaging with integrated surface documentation. The combination of whole-body imaging, targeted acquisitions, radiographic imaging, and simultaneous surface documentation represents a versatile approach for forensic workflows and may be particularly valuable in disaster victim identification scenarios. Further technical refinements and larger studies are warranted.