APPLICATIONS OF FORENSIC RADIOLOGY IN MEDICOLEGAL PRACTICE: THE USE OF X-RAYS IN THE IDENTIFICATION OF CHARRED BODIES

Abstract

Forensic radiology is an essential field of legal medicine, offering technical methods that aid in human identification when traditional procedures are unfeasible—such as in cases of charring. The degradation caused by extreme heat compromises the body's external structures, making radiographic examination an indispensable resource by revealing preserved internal structures that withstand fire. Given this context, the study aims to address the following question: how does forensic radiology, through the use of X-rays, contribute to the identification of charred bodies within the scope of forensic medical practice? The general objective is to analyze the contribution of forensic radiology—specifically radiographic examination (X-ray)—to the process of identifying charred bodies. To achieve this, the specific objectives are to describe the fundamentals of forensic radiology as applied to legal medicine; analyze the radiographic techniques employed in identifying charred victims; and examine the challenges and limitations encountered when using X-rays in forensic contexts of this nature. Methodologically, this is a qualitative study of an exploratory and descriptive nature, based on a literature review and an interpretive analysis of scientific publications sourced from databases such as SciELO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and BVS. The results demonstrate that forensic radiology plays an indispensable role in forensic medical investigations, enabling the identification of anatomical characteristics and comparative elements that significantly contribute to victim identification and the technical enhancement of forensic examinations.