Publications by authors named "Joke Wuestenbergs"
Defining, exploring the sources and expressing post-mortem diagnostic uncertainty.
Forensic Sci Med Pathol
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- Diagnostic uncertainty in post-mortem diagnostics (PMD) arises from the complexity of autopsies and both subjective and objective factors that complicate determining the cause of death.
- A literature review identified a lack of focused studies on PMD uncertainty, but recognized its presence and introduced a definition as the inability to ascertain the exact cause of death or significance of findings during an autopsy.
- To address this uncertainty, a new Post-Mortem Diagnostic Certainty Scale (PMDCS) was developed, which categorizes causes of death to improve understanding and interpretation of autopsy results, potentially reducing uncertainty through standardized investigations.
Forensic autopsies remain indispensable for accurately determining the cause and manner of death. However, pathologists face significant challenges inherent to the complex process of postmortem diagnostics (PMD), including the potential for diagnostic errors. The implementation of quality assurance (QA) mechanisms is crucial for minimizing these errors.
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