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3D documentation and visualization of external injury findings by integration of simple photography in CT/MRI data sets (IprojeCT)

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Abstract

This study evaluated the feasibility of documenting patterned injury using three dimensions and true colour photography without complex 3D surface documentation methods. This method is based on a generated 3D surface model using radiologic slice images (CT) while the colour information is derived from photographs taken with commercially available cameras. The external patterned injuries were documented in 16 cases using digital photography as well as highly precise photogrammetry-supported 3D structured light scanning. The internal findings of these deceased were recorded using CT and MRI. For registration of the internal with the external data, two different types of radiographic markers were used and compared. The 3D surface model generated from CT slice images was linked with the photographs, and thereby digital true-colour 3D models of the patterned injuries could be created (Image projection onto CT/IprojeCT). In addition, these external models were merged with the models of the somatic interior. We demonstrated that 3D documentation and visualization of external injury findings by integration of digital photography in CT/MRI data sets is suitable for the 3D documentation of individual patterned injuries to a body. Nevertheless, this documentation method is not a substitution for photogrammetry and surface scanning, especially when the entire bodily surface is to be recorded in three dimensions including all external findings, and when precise data is required for comparing highly detailed injury features with the injury-inflicting tool.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Annett Morgens and Inga Siebke for her great support with linguistic knowledge.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, IRM – Buehlstrasse 20, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Lorenzo Campana, Robert Breitbeck, Regula Bauer-Kreuz & Ursula Buck

  2. Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland

    Robert Breitbeck

  3. Canton Police Bern, Accident Service, Schermenweg 9, 3001, Bern, Switzerland

    Ursula Buck

Authors
  1. Lorenzo Campana
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  2. Robert Breitbeck
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  3. Regula Bauer-Kreuz
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  4. Ursula Buck
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Correspondence to Lorenzo Campana.

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Campana, L., Breitbeck, R., Bauer-Kreuz, R. et al. 3D documentation and visualization of external injury findings by integration of simple photography in CT/MRI data sets (IprojeCT). Int J Legal Med 130, 787–797 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-015-1274-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-015-1274-3

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