University of Leicester announces world first forensic technique

Having formerly used two types of radiology in mass fatality and temporary mortuary investigations, plain x-ray and fluoroscopy, pathologists have found a new radiological approach towards investigating mass fatalities. The previous methods have been time consuming, yielded limited information, are a health and safety hazard to those working in the environment due to the use of radiological equipment outside their normal working area, and are also not undertaken at the scene of the incident. The first time that the new method of identifying those involved in a mass fatality accident occurred when a team of researchers led by Professor Guy Rutty of the University of Leicester Forensic Pathology Unit used a mobile MSCT scanner at the mortuary for the examination of the victims of a vehicle mass fatality incident. After having used the new instrument for the first time, Professor Rutty said: "The demonstration of the ability to utilize mobile MSCT technology under these circumstances may result in a complete rethinking of the type of radiology to be used in temporary mortuaries or mass fatalities scenes. The work presently being undertaken by my research team within the Forensic Pathology Unit at the University of Leicester in this area is hoped to develop new approaches to mass fatality radiological investigation which may be adopted throughout the world."