Australia. This elderly male individual was significantly decomposed and not visually identifiable. Postmortem CT showed a metal orthopedic implant in the left distal clavicle. Internal examination located an orthopedic plate on the left clavicle, which had an identification number. In cases where an individual is decomposed or no longer visually recognizable, the location of prosthetic devices can be of assistance in the identification process. The potential for orthopedic prostheses to assist in the identification process has resulted in the call in some countries for the establishment of a national register of prostheses.
Fig.1 Anterior view of the head and chest of a man who was significantly decomposed and not visually identifiable.
Fig.2 Detailed view of the metal orthopedic plate, which had an identification number. VR image of the bones of the shoulder girdle showing the metal orthopedic implant.
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