Module 6.3

Question 1

Diagnostic imaging

Answer 1

Radiographs
Must be labeled as usual
Areas of concern
Entire body for forensic rads
Rib fractures? Get 2 oblique views to visualize better
Can show current concerns and healed injuries
Foreign bodies, injuries not initially palpated
US, CT, MRI if poss and within budget

Question 2

Documentation-lab testing

Answer 2

In-house pros: faster results, fewer handlers
In-house cons: can’t run all tests, quality control issues can come up in trial
Send out pros: better QC, specialists available
Send out cons: $$$, more people involved-must contact lab for chain of custody requirements

Question 3

Lab tests

Answer 3

Blood: CBC, Chem, HWT, FIV/FeLV test, molecular diagnostics (Babesia gibsoni-common in dog fighting)
Urinalysis
Fecal tests
Histopathology-neoplasia, wound margins
Entomology
Toxicology
Accelerant testing for burn pts
DNA analysis-human vs animal DNA