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Forensic science involves the application of a broad spectrum of scientific principles within a legal framework, and is typically used to support criminal investigations. Drawing from various scientific fields such as physics, chemistry, and biology, forensic science is a vital tool in unearthing the truth in any legal proceeding. Over the course of its existence, forensic science evolved towards an evidence-based framework, relying on rational procedures. Consequently, today's focus of forensic investigators is on the recognition, identification, and analysis of evidence, all made possible through the introduction of countless techniques and technological advances. However, in spite of all technological advances already made, forensic investigations are not solved by the push of a button. Crime laboratories employ large teams of investigators that often have to perform tedious and time-consuming tasks. Such manual work is detrimental to the overall investigation, as it introduces subjectivity into the analysis, which in turn may lead to miscarriages of justice. Moreover, having forensic investigators perform lengthy analyses on a crime scene increases the risk of introducing, removing, or altering crucial evidence. Finally, considering the fact that forensic investigators are highly skilled experts, manual work increases the cost of the overall investigation.In this thesis, our main aim is therefore on replacing time-consuming work by automated procedures in an attempt to tackle the aforementioned problems. More specifically, our focus is on the application of data-driven image computing methods to further advance the automation in the fields of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Virtual Autopsy.In the first part of this thesis, we focused on the field of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. Concretely, we developed a software package called HemoVision, which enables fully automated analysis of impact patterns. In doing so, three major contributions were made. First, we developed a statistical shape model that enables fully automated analysis of individual bloodstains. Compared to existing methods, the proposed approach is faster, more accurate, and more objective. Second, we proposed a vision-based approach using fiducial markers to automatically reconstruct impact patterns from various images. This step was crucial to the development of HemoVision, as it removes most of the manual work that is required with existing methods. Third, we integrated the proposed methods in an intuitive interface, allowing forensic investigators to use our software. Moreover, we performed a validation study to asses HemoVision's overall accuracy. Compared to the state-of-the-art, HemoVision obtains competitive results.In the second part of this thesis, we turned to the field of Virtual Autopsy. More specifically, our focus was on the development of a general framework that enables the automatic detection of abnormalities in medical images. Again, three major contributions were made. First, a data-driven preprocessing method for medical images was developed, allowing to correct imbalances in tissue intensity distribution widths. This is an important step, as standard image processing methods are negatively influenced by this so-called heteroscedasticity. Second, we developed a semi-supervised exemplar-based method to detect abnormalities in medical images. In contrast to existing approaches, the proposed method does not require annotated training data, does not rely on ill-posed non-rigid deformations, and is independent of the imaging modality. Third, we applied the aforementioned methods to the problem of automatic gunshot trajectory reconstruction. Using a robust linear regression model, we were able to correctly estimate trajectories in the majority of the cases. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first method that allows fully automatic reconstruction of gunshot trajectories.Overall, we believe we have contributed significantly to the fields of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and Virtual Autopsy. By introducing quantitative, automated methods, forensic investigations become less costly, more objective, and faster, which in the end, is beneficial to all people involved in criminal investigations.

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Introduction: It is estimated that in 2017 271 million people have used illicit drugs. While the majority of these drugs is transported through naval shipments, land/train routes and air traffic, a significant amount is transported through body packing, body stuffing and body pushing. The involved drug smuggler will be exposed to great risks with the possibility of a mortal outcome. Methods: A comprehensive research of the literature has been performed on the 5th of January 2020 in order to identify the relevant articles. The following databases were used: Pubmed and Embase. The articles were subjected to critical evaluation on three different levels: title, abstract and full text. Results: The complications associated with these practices are various and can be split into two general groups: mechanical complications due to the mass-effect of packages and chemical complications when a package ruptures. Detecting internally concealed drug packets can be done using different radiological methods. While abdominal radiograph is the most widely used diagnostic method, low dose CT has a clear advantage in sensitivity and specificity. Ultrasound and MRI show to be promising alternatives for imaging with ionizing radiation. Discussion: Internal concealment of illicit drugs is not an everyday event for most physicians. However, considering the increasing prevalence, it remains important for all physicians to consider body packing, body stuffing or body pushing when confronted with a patient showing signs of acute overdose or other symptoms suggesting internal concealment.

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Sudden death can be defined as an unexpected death within 24 hours after the individual was seen alive and healthy. Among sudden death, cardiac causes are most frequent. Because of its clinical relevance, an accurate postmortem investigation is important. Currently, conventional autopsy is the gold standard in such cases. The idea of using medical imaging in the forensic field has been present for decades but has yet to make its way into standard practices for sudden death. This review will evaluate the role of postmortem medical imaging in the investigation of sudden death. To do so, a study of the current available literature was performed using PubMed, Embase and Limo as databases and search engines. After a selection process, 24 publications (issued 1990-2020) were considered eligible: 14 clinical trials with sample sizes varying between six and 500, eight reviews, one meta-analysis and one textbook. In a postmortem setting are computed tomography, angiography and magnetic resonance the most relevant modalities. Nowadays, PMCT is used most often but it is not necessarily the best option for sudden cardiac death. PMCTA would be a better choice since vascular structures are visualized better. But for investigating the myocardium, PMMR is considered the method of choice, however, logistic difficulties and high costs limit its use. We conclude that postmortem imaging in addition to conventional autopsy adds to the general diagnostic accuracy of the investigation of sudden death. Though, it will never replace autopsy since histological examination remains indispensable. Future advancements will make postmortem imaging even more relevant but a critical eye will remain imperative.

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Introduction: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains an important cause of infant death. Many studies have tried to identify genetic variants that could predispose an infant to SIDS. However, the potential role of most genes remains unclear, raising doubts about the usefullness of routine postmortem genetic testing in SIDS. Objectives: In this systematic review, our aim is to answer the question whether routine postmortem genetic testing in SIDS is useful and if so, which genes should be screened. We will hereby focus on the cardiac and neurological genes. Methods: We performed a literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane using both free text and MeSH terms to identify all genetic variants previously associated with SIDS. After combining the results of the 51 included studies, we compared them to the gene panel currently used at UZ Leuven for cases of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS). Results: After interpretation of our results, we concluded that cardiac channelopathy genes are most convincingly associated with SIDS, the most important being SCN5A, KCNQ1, KCNH2 and RyR2. Cardiomyopathy genes seem to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of SIDS as well, but the only gene with substantial evidence is MYBPC3. Of the genes involved in the central nervous system only PHOX2B might have a potential role in SIDS. Discussion: We conclude that a routine molecular autopsy in SIDS would be useful. However, caution is needed when interpreting the results of genetic testing. In the future, more large case-control studies using next-generation or whole-exome sequencing should be conducted. A more uniform classification system for variants should be introduced as well, in order to ease the interpretation of the results of future studies.