• Shu Zhou, Lei Wan, Yu Shao, Chongliang Ying, Yahui Wang, Donghua Zou, Wentao Xia, and Yijiu Chen.
• Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice, Institute of Forensic Science, 1347 West Guangfu Road, Shanghai, 200063, China.
• Int. J. Legal Med. 2016 Mar 1; 130 (2): 469-74.

AbstractPost-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and post-mortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA) are rapidly becoming effective and practical methods in forensic medicine. In this article, we introduce a PMCTA approach by cardiac puncture and its application in a specific forensic case. A 50-year-old female sanitation worker was found dead on a road. External examination of the body revealed scattered abrasions and contusions over the chest. Autopsy was refused by the family members, and the body was examined with PMCT and PMCTA by cardiac puncture. Sternal fracture and rib fractures were detected by PMCT and aortic rupture by PMCTA. The cause of death was hemorrhagic shock due to traumatic aortic rupture. In certain circumstances, the combination of PMCT and PMCTA is helpful for forensic pathologists to determine the cause of death in cases involving traumatic vascular injury.

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