A data dictionary is a collection of the descriptions and categorizations of the data contained within a database. This document contains each field in the database as well as the “drop down” options available for each field and their definitions if needed.
Medications are listed using their unique identifier (CUI) in RxNorm. To access the database, please visit: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm/
We have selected 40 NMDID cases that demonstrate interesting findings and findings routinely encountered by medical examiners in the process of investigating deaths from both natural and unnatural causes. For each of the selected NMDID cases, a brief (1-3 page) guide includes basic demographic and investigative information about the case, as well as a summary of relevant findings -- both pathology (or anthropology) and imaging. The PMCT appearance of one or more findings is highlighted and discussed. Many of the guides include autopsy or anthropology photos for comparison. These case study guides are intended for forensic pathologists, radiologists, forensic anthropologists, and researchers interested in the PMCT appearance of specific post-mortem findings and how PMCT may be used in the death investigation setting.
Download the packet of study guides here.
For each of these cases, the user can learn more by requesting access to the full PMCT image dataset using the instructions here (Link to nmdid.unm.edu/how-to-use). Once downloaded, the full image dataset can then be opened and explored using a DICOM viewer or PACS on the user’s computer. If the user is unfamiliar with how to view multi-slice medical image data, we recommend watching Webinar #3 in the NMDID Webinar Series for more information.
Further information about the use of PMCT in death investigation is discussed in the Post-Mortem Computed Tomography Webinar Series, available here.
For forensic pathologists, radiologists, anthropologists, and other forensic practitioners who are interested in learning more about the use of PMCT in death investigation and anthropological analysis, we hope these guides will provide a starting point for learning about the way PMCT may be used for various case types and the PMCT appearance of some common and some unusual findings.
The following individuals contributed to these study guides: Dr. Yi-Li (Grace) Wong, M.D. (forensic radiologist), Kethery Haber, MHA RT(R)(CT)(M)(MR) (radiologic technologist), Roberto Maselli, M.D. (forensic pathologist), Heather J. H. Edgar, Ph.D., D-ABFA (forensic anthropologist), Phoebe Nichols (medical student), Nicollette Appel (anthropology Ph.D. candidate), Paige Lynch (anthropology Ph.D. candidate), and Natalie L. Adolphi, Ph.D. (medical physicist).
These guides were developed with support from the National Institute of Justice and RTI International and was funded through a cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Justice (2016-MU- BX-K110), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions and recommendations expressed in this guide are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of RTI or the National Institute of Justice.
The following are the “drop down” variables that are available for these basic demographic fields:
Note: Hispanic is used as both a race and ethnicity in this database since a large number of New Mexicans used Hispanic as a "Other" race option on the 2010 census.