Neurological symptoms in pediatric abusive head trauma: Multi-center data for clinical forensic medicine.

Central nervous system-associated lesions can frequently be found in abusive head trauma (AHT) cases. Since there are frequently no visible signs of injury on the body surface, the diagnosis of AHT can be challenging. In particular, if the affected child shows only isolated neurological symptoms, these are often misinterpreted as a minor illness.

Temporal development of subdural collections in infants with confessed abusive head trauma: a forensic neuroimaging study.

Objectives: Estimating the age of injury in pediatric abusive head trauma (AHT) is a challenging task but potentially valuable for the identification of perpetrators. The aims of the study are (1) to describe the temporal development of different imaging features of subdural collections (SDCs), and (2) to provide novel age-diagnostic reference data for forensic-radiological expert reports.

Methods: Using a multi-center approach and a 10-year study period, serial neuroimaging studies of 13 comprehensively investigated AHT cases (8 CT and 26 MRI scans) were analyzed regarding several subdural imaging parameters (SDC appearances, entities, components, and associated findings).

[Red flags for child abuse : Pediatric radiological and forensic aspects].

Clinical Issue: The diagnostics of physical child abuse are usually performed by a multidisciplinary team and frequently represent a clinical challenge. Radiological expertise is particularly important for the recognition of abusive injuries to the skeletal system and the central nervous system. The aim of the article is to give an overview of red flags of child abuse in radiological imaging.

Forensic Diagnostics of the Skeletal Age in the Living - Backgrounds and Methodology.

Background: The expert opinions on forensic age diagnostics requested by state institutions are used to show the exceeding of legally relevant age thresholds, especially the completed 18 year of life. According to the recommendations of the Study Group on Forensic Age Diagnostics (AGFAD), this requires - among other things - a determination of skeletal age.

Method: Considering recent scientific knowledge, the current conditions and established skeletal age diagnostics methods are presented.