Forensic dental radiography 191
software, only devices that are DICOM3 compatible (Digital Imaging and
Communications in Medicine) should be used.
Finally, if direct digital radiography is not available, scanning traditional
radiographs into digital format with a digital flatbed scanner is an alternate
technique. The scanner must have transparency/direct positive capabilities.
Once digitized, these images can be integrated with any software system
used in forensic dentistry with abilities equal to direct digital.
10.4 Film Image Processing
Since traditional film technology does not allow digital image improvement,
it is imperative that processing be conducted with strict adherence to manu-
facturer’s specifications. In general, manual processing of radiographs at 70°F
requires a five-minute development cycle followed by a thirty-second rinse
and a ten-minute fixation cycle. A twenty-minute wash cycle is necessary to
produce films with archival quality. If not washed thoroughly, the fixer solu-
tion will continue to act on the film after processing and will eventually tint
or discolor the image and can destroy its diagnostic content. Automatic pro-
cessors most commonly produce a dry, processed film in about five minutes.
Manual processing chemicals should never be used in automatic processors
and vice versa. Inexpensive film processors with small chemical tanks and a
Figure 10.1 direct digital x-ray system integrated with winid in the dmort
(disaster mortuary operational response team) Katrina east morgue. no x-ray
film or paper records were used in collecting postmortem data.