Posted on 12/13/2025 1:09:45 PM PST by nickcarraway
Claudia Lenz uses imaging techniques to visualize injuries that are not visible to the naked eye. Credit: University of Basel, Eleni Kougionis
Bruises are one of the most common injuries observed on victims of violent crime, especially victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. However, bruises can be difficult for forensic nurse examiners to detect, particularly on victims with darker skin tones. An inaccurate documentation of injuries can be detrimental to the victim’s legal case against their attacker, as well as to the victim’s medical treatment.
In cases of strangulation, visible traces such as strangulation marks on the neck fade after just a few days—even shorter for those with darker skin tones. This can make it so much harder for victims to present evidence of a crime.
Claudia Lenz, a lecturer at the University of Basel (UK), is trying to change that. In her study, Lenz was able to show that internal injuries can be detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for much longer than previously thought—up to 12 days. This is a significant extension of the window of time in which objective evidence of a violent crime can be secured.
For the study, published in International Journal of Legal Medicine, Lenz examined 20 real-life strangulation survivors.
Upon the initial external forensic examinations, findings included abrasions and erythema (11 participants each), followed by bruises (9 participants). Forensic pathologists also detected petechial hemorrhages in 3 participants. However, 5 participants showed no external signs of strangulation. Seven participants reported losing consciousness during the attack.
Each victim underwent one or two MRI scans for the study. The first MRI examination was conducted during the first 5 days, the second was 5 to 12 days after the incident. Two blinded radiologists then assessed the MRI data and looked for lesions in the structures of the neck.
On average, the first MRI scan revealed 3.3 findings, while the second scan showed 4.6 findings. The thyroid, muscles and subcutis showed the most findings, whereas no findings were reported for blood vessels and mucosal tissue. In total, edema occurred more frequently than hemorrhages —63% compared with 37%.
Participants who showed findings in the initial scan demonstrated comparable results in the second scan, which was performed, on average, 8.4 days after the incident. In fact, according to the study, there was no subject who showed radiological findings in the first MRI scan, but none in the second.
While more edema findings could be seen in the subcutis and larynx in the first MRI compared with the second, all other findings were still visible or even increased in number in the second MRI.
Ultimately, the study results clearly show that even up to 12 days after a strangulation incident, evidence collection and criminal proceedings can greatly profit from the information provided by an MRI examination of the neck in addition to the standard clinical forensic examination.
Publication and recognition of Lenz’s study has propelled the University of Basel’s Institute of Forensic Medicine to make MRI examinations standard following suspected violence to the neck.
“This work was the final piece of the puzzle needed to embed our research in the forensic examination of victims of violence,” said Lenz.
The physicist was recently awarded the Emilie Louise Frey Prize at this year’s Dies Academicus (Academic Day). Named after the first woman to study and earn a doctorate at the University of Basel, the prize is presented each year to a woman to recognize an outstanding thesis. The award seeks to support emerging female researchers and encourage more women to pursue scientific careers.
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"He strangled the victim. The MRI shows it."
"No. The MRI shows someone strangled the victim and they had a twelve day window in which to do it."
Incoming Joke Alert!
So I gotta hide *resident Bidet’s body for a fortnight?
End of Joke Alert!
So what. Even if the perp is convicted ..still gets a pass outta’ jail.
Yup
And this works on male victims as well.
It’s too bad it can’t show that Luigi the Corklicker is a bottom feeding, backshooting, lowlife bag of feces.
Shades of Sherlock beating a corpse to discover how far bruising may be induced post-mortem.
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