Cirencester Course Report
Radiography in the Incident Mortuary
5th & 6th August 2006 – Royal Agricultural College
Delegates enjoyed the scenic surroundings of the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester for the third AFR forensic imaging residential weekend seminar: “Radiography in the Incident Mortuary” held on Saturday 5th August. The event endorsed by the Society of Radiographers (SoR) is specifically designed to provide training for members and prospective members of the UK Forensic Radiography Response Team (UKFRRT). Delegates enjoyed a packed programme covering aspects from Health and Safety to Welfare of the Radiographer with proceedings chaired by Lindsay Batty-Smith of the AFR Committee.
Morning lectures covered the historical aspects and lessons learnt in the development of a national radiography response team, the role of radiography in post mortem identification. Philip Allen gave a personal perspective from working in the Incident or Disaster mortuary then followed a look at protocols for plain film and fluoroscopy imaging and maintaining the “chain of evidence”. Claire Robinson provided a fascinating argument for the use of CT in the effective demonstration of injury patterns together with artefacts of value in post mortem investigation: even down to the visualisation of a plastic button on 3D reconstructions!
Following lunch, a highly entertaining and informative presentation from John Robson, forensic Odontologist on the role of Odontology in the forensic investigation was followed by dental radiography techniques, health and safety considerations, then roles and responsibilities in the mortuary. The day was concluded with a look at welfare and wellbeing of the forensic radiography practitioner.
An evening of karaoke and frivolity went far to break the ice for deletes and AFR committee members, particularly following renditions of “Mustang Sally” and “Delilah”! The following morning, practical training workshops were provided for remaining delegates on areas including fluoroscopy, dental radiography, documentation, image interpretation and practical consideration for image service planning in the incident mortuary.
Course Organiser and UKFRRT Co-ordinator, Catherine Rock commented on the event: it’s imperative that UKFRRT members are prepared as far as possible prior to deployment: AFR facilitates this training through the provision of these study events (the next event is scheduled for 23rd September in
