Evaluating the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the Free State province, South Africa

Background: Forensic radiography is an important component in forensic sciences. There seems to be a lack of recent studies in the literature on the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at forensic pathology mortuaries in South Africa. Aim: ...

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Main Authors: Je'nine Horn-Lodewyk, Belinda van der Merwe, Gift M. Kali, Leonie Munro
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2022-10-01
Series:Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2014
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author Je'nine Horn-Lodewyk
Belinda van der Merwe
Gift M. Kali
Leonie Munro
author_facet Je'nine Horn-Lodewyk
Belinda van der Merwe
Gift M. Kali
Leonie Munro
author_sort Je'nine Horn-Lodewyk
collection DOAJ
description Background: Forensic radiography is an important component in forensic sciences. There seems to be a lack of recent studies in the literature on the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at forensic pathology mortuaries in South Africa. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists (consultants) and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the Free State province, South Africa. Setting: A prospective study was conducted at a conveniently selected forensic pathology mortuary located in the Free State province of South Africa. Method: Personnel performing forensic radiography at the selected mortuary were invited to participate in the study. An exploratory quantitative study design was used. The research tool was a self-administered questionnaire comprising open- and closed-ended questions. Four registrars and four consultants (n = 8) completed the questionnaire. Results: Training was only received on computed tomography (n = 1; 12.5%), the C-arm machine (n = 1; 12.5%) and the digital X-ray mobile machine (n = 1; 12.5%) Lodox on corpse positioning (n = 7; 87.5%) and setting of exposure factors (n = 2; 25%). Conclusion: Lack of training of the personnel performing forensic radiography, at the selected mortuary was identified. Training is required in image acquisition protocols, quality control tests of the X-ray machines, setting technical factors and operation of various X-ray machines. Contribution: Training of registered radiation workers who perform forensic radiography in mortuaries is essential to produce high-quality ionising radiation images and ensure their own and other staff members’ safety.
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spelling doaj.art-e8713c0fb9e14dc0a7e96be0161079282022-12-22T02:39:43ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362022-10-01270e1e1010.4102/hsag.v27i0.2014948Evaluating the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the Free State province, South AfricaJe'nine Horn-Lodewyk0Belinda van der Merwe1Gift M. Kali2Leonie Munro3Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, BloemfonteinDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, BloemfonteinDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, BloemfonteinPrivate, DurbanBackground: Forensic radiography is an important component in forensic sciences. There seems to be a lack of recent studies in the literature on the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at forensic pathology mortuaries in South Africa. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists (consultants) and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the Free State province, South Africa. Setting: A prospective study was conducted at a conveniently selected forensic pathology mortuary located in the Free State province of South Africa. Method: Personnel performing forensic radiography at the selected mortuary were invited to participate in the study. An exploratory quantitative study design was used. The research tool was a self-administered questionnaire comprising open- and closed-ended questions. Four registrars and four consultants (n = 8) completed the questionnaire. Results: Training was only received on computed tomography (n = 1; 12.5%), the C-arm machine (n = 1; 12.5%) and the digital X-ray mobile machine (n = 1; 12.5%) Lodox on corpse positioning (n = 7; 87.5%) and setting of exposure factors (n = 2; 25%). Conclusion: Lack of training of the personnel performing forensic radiography, at the selected mortuary was identified. Training is required in image acquisition protocols, quality control tests of the X-ray machines, setting technical factors and operation of various X-ray machines. Contribution: Training of registered radiation workers who perform forensic radiography in mortuaries is essential to produce high-quality ionising radiation images and ensure their own and other staff members’ safety.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2014forensic radiographyknowledgetrainingradiation protectionquality control tests
spellingShingle Je'nine Horn-Lodewyk
Belinda van der Merwe
Gift M. Kali
Leonie Munro
Evaluating the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the Free State province, South Africa
Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
forensic radiography
knowledge
training
radiation protection
quality control tests
title Evaluating the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the Free State province, South Africa
title_full Evaluating the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the Free State province, South Africa
title_fullStr Evaluating the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the Free State province, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the Free State province, South Africa
title_short Evaluating the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the Free State province, South Africa
title_sort evaluating the knowledge and training of forensic pathologists and registrars performing forensic radiography at a forensic pathology mortuary in the free state province south africa
topic forensic radiography
knowledge
training
radiation protection
quality control tests
url https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2014
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