Forensic veterinary radiology: Ballistic-radiological 3D computertomographic reconstruction of an illegal lynx shooting in Switzerland

• Published in: Forensic science international Vol. 171; no. 1; pp. 63 - 66
• Main Authors: Thali, Michael J, Kneubuehl, Beat P, Bolliger, Stephan A, Christe, Andreas, Koenigsdorfer, Urs, Ozdoba, Christoph, Spielvogel, Elke, Dirnhofer, Richard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ireland Ltd 24.08.2007; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation of Natural Resources - legislation & jurisprudence; Forensic Ballistics; Forensic medicine; Forensic sciences; General aspects; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lynx; Medical sciences; Multislice computertomography; Pathology; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Switzerland; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Veterinary pathology; Virtopsy; Virtual autopsy; Wounds, Gunshot - diagnostic imaging; Switzerland; Europe; Veterinary pathology; Lynx; Multislice computertomography; Virtopsy; Virtual autopsy; Shooting; Forensic aspect; Image reconstruction; Sport; Autopsy; Ballistics; Diagnosis; Forensic science; Health staff; Legal medicine; Postmortem; Virtual image; Augmented reality; Anatomic pathology; Non invasive method; Radiology; Medical imagery; Tridimensional image; Multislice; Veterinary
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.05.044

Abstract The lynx, which was reintroduced to Switzerland after being exterminated at the beginning of the 20th century, is protected by Swiss law. However, poaching occurs from time to time, which makes criminal investigations necessary. In the presented case, an illegally shot lynx was examined by conventional plane radiography and three-dimensional multislice computertomography (3D MSCT), of which the latter yielded superior results with respect to documentation and reconstruction of the inflicted gunshot wounds. We believe that 3D MSCT, already described in human forensic-pathological cases, is also a suitable and promising new technique for veterinary pathology.