Optical coherence tomography in forensic sciences: a review of the literature

Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2019 Sep;15(3):445-452. doi: 10.1007/s12024-019-00136-z. Epub 2019 Jul 18.

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an interferometric imaging technique that has revolutionized clinical ophthalmology since the first half of the 1990's. Despite this approach being successfully employed in ophthalmology and having great potential in forensic cases, its use in different forensic fields appears to be quite limited. In this review we reviewed the scientific literature regarding the application of OCT in forensic science and legal medicine from 1995 to 2019. Our research showed the usefulness of this approach for the study of coronary injuries, postmortem ocular changes, forensic entomology, and several other applications of specific forensic interest (the study of blood stains, fingerprints, and hair bulbs for personal identification, as well as the study of materials found in the crime scene for comparation, or anti-fraud investigation). The creation of specific 'ad hoc' devices and a better knowledge of this type of technology by pathologists will be a fundamental step to continue to develop the use of OCT forensic fields.

Keywords: Forensic entomology; Forensic imaging; Forensic pathology; OCT in forensic science; Optical coherence tomography; Postmortem ocular changes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthropods
  • Blood Stains
  • Coronary Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Dermatoglyphics
  • Entomology
  • Eye / diagnostic imaging
  • Forensic Sciences*
  • Hair / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Postmortem Changes
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence*