How to use the database:
1. Request Access
Click here to request a username and password. You will need an email address from a university or other research organization to be approved for an account.
2. Search Metadata
Once you have an account, login and search the metadata. Select the variables of interest. There are lots to choose from. Click “Search” to see how many results meet your criteria. The search function can only return 1,000 records at a time, but you can serially limit your search. When you’re ready, click "View Results."
3. Select Records
Once you have an initial search, you can examine metadata for each record to decide if you would like to download the data or request scans. Metadata is accompanied by scout images, which are like large x-rays, to provide a basic view of each decedent. Select records to place in your cart by clicking on the green plus sign. Remove them by clicking on the red minus sign.
4. View Selections
Go to your cart to see the list of records you’ve selected. Click “Download Metadata” to receive a CSV file with the data for the individuals you have selected. Click “Request Images” to submit a research request. Your research request must be approved before you can download CT scans.
5. Request Images
Your research request should describe your inclusion and exclusion criteria, the research you plan to conduct, any specific hypotheses you have, results you expect, and benefits that might accrue. Click “Submit” and your request will be sent to our research committee.
6. Download Images
If your request is approved, you will receive an email describing how to access the scans you have requested.
Acknowledgements
* This project was supported by Award No. NIJ 2016-DN-BX-0144, awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.
What’s in the database
The NMDID is a free database that is comprised of high-resolution full body CT scans with associated demographic, lifestyle and health data. The following metadata may be present in the database (the amount of information varies on each decedent):
Census
- Sex
- Gender
- Zip code (first three digits)
- Birth year
- Death year
- Age in years
- Age in months
- Number of pregnancies
- Number of live births
- Marital status
- Living weight
- Living height
- Race
- Tribal affiliation
- Ethnicity
- Hispanic identification
- Birth weight
- Birth weight category
- Birthplace
- Birth country
- Birth city
- Birth state
- Years in the US
- Ancestor birthplace
- Ancestor birth city
- Ancestor birth state
- Ancestor birth country
Health
- Cancer
- Congenital and genetic disorders
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Dental health as an adult
- Dental health as a child
- Scoliosis
- History of broken bones
- Facial trauma
- Plastic surgery
- Surgery
- Implants
- Radiation therapy
- Medical diagnoses
- Notes on medical diagnoses
- Medications
- Substance usage
- Quit date of substance
- Years of substance usage
- Tobacco type
- Tobacco usage
- Drinking status
- Dietary pattern
- Occupations
- Activities
- Strenuous lifting
- Educational level
- Socio-economic status as a child
- Socio-economic status as an adult
- Carcinogens
Circumstances of Death
- Primary cause of death
- Contributing cause of death
- Manner of death
- Identification method
- Bone density
- Death city
- Death county/tribal land
- Cadaver condition
- Cadaver length
- Cadaver weight
- CT scan settings
- Time delay after death
- Decomposition score