IAFR Representatives report from AAFS, Seattle
April 3, 2010
In February, two UK forensic radiographers were able to attend the 62nd annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting in Seattle, USA. Dan Parr, York NHS, was the winner of the International Association of Forensic Radiographers (IAFR) case study prize and Denise Elliott of Poole NHS, was the IAFR committee representative.
The meeting covered every forensic speciality including forensic radiography and gave the two UK delegates and excellent opportunity to learn about the latest developments in their speciality, other related disciplines, as well as meeting with world leaders in forensic specialities.
Most aspects of forensic radiography were covered; of particular note were several lectures on the controversial topic of shaken baby syndrome and brain injury/haemorrhage. Prof G Brogdon, the IAFR patron, gave a comprehensive lecture on pathologies that can radiologically mimic non accidental injury (NAI), as well as a case study on the use of CT as evidence in a stabbing case to demonstrate that attempted murder could not be possible. Prof Brogden also reminded us, in the light of recent controversies about forensic sciences in the USA, that “science is the search for truth, whereas law is the search for justice” and as scientists we must search for the truth and not be distracted by emotion.
Swiss radiology representatives were present in force to talk about their latest post mortem imaging advances. Swiss radiographers are now an integral part of the post mortem (PM) team in Berne. They are performing PM biopsies, femoral puncture and heart/lung bypass to enable PM CT angiography in 3 phases. Also from Switzerland was a preliminary study into the use of CT Vs plain film and Lodox in drug couriers body packing and stuffing. The results showed that a low dose CT KUB type study was the most sensitive and specific. The study is ongoing.
Three days of odontology lectures covered all aspects of forensic dental radiography. An Italian case study of orthodontic treatment gone badly was a salient reminder of the importance of good radiographic technique. Basic positioning mistakes were made on the initial planning lateral ceph x-ray leading to incorrect angle measurements and treatment, ultimately resulting in the patients suicide.
The ongoing issue of age estimation was covered by radiology, anthropology, odontology and jurisprudence presentations and the consensus still appears to be there is no single reliable method and more population studies need doing. Elder abuse, mass fatalities and genocide were other topics of note, with lectures on the growing recognition of elder abuse in the USA, Australian bush fires, air crashes and the ongoing Srebrenica investigations.
The trade exhibition gave a chance to see the latest forensic .JPG)
technological advances from portable digital x-ray systems to 3D facial reconstruction algorithms to overlay on CT images and digital data storage solutions with integral chain of evidence. (Photo: Denise Elliot, IAFR representative visits the Min-XR stand)
Both Dan and Denise would like to express their thanks to the IAFR for their sponsorship which enabled them to attend this prestigious, international meeting.
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