ALBUQUERQUE - According to a recent survey conducted by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, nearly 34 percent of all forensic radiography exams are performed by registered radiographers. Additionally, nearly 90 percent of those surveyed rated the images produced at their facility as good or excellent.

The survey also reported that nearly 90 percent of those who perform forensic radiography have access to radiography equipment at their facilities. Forty-four percent of the respondents said the exams were performed by a forensic assistant and 13 percent are performed by a forensic professional such as a medical examiner or coroner.

Developed by former ASRT President and current Chairman Connie L. Mitchell, M.A., R.T.(R)(CT), and the ASRT Forensic Radiography Task Force, the goal of the survey was to gather valuable information about the state of forensic radiography in the United States. "With the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 still fresh on my mind, I created a task force on forensics," Ms. Mitchell said. "A major goal of the task force was to conduct a survey that would provide insight regarding the roles of forensic-educated registered radiologic technologists."
"I think we were all surprised at the level of access to imaging equipment that exists in forensic laboratories," said current ASRT President Linda K. Holden, M.S., R.T.(R)(QM), RDMS, FASRT. "Even those that do not have equipment in their facilities have access at a nearby hospital or clinic."

The first of its kind for the ASRT, the forensic survey was sent to all 720 members of the National Association of Medical Examiners. The survey garnered an 11 percent participation rate and provided the ASRT with important information about this unique practice area of the radiologic sciences.

The task force will continue gathering research about the field of forensic radiography in order to determine who is performing forensic imaging and what level of training is required to perform the job.

Results from the survey might be used for a future ASRT white paper. For more information on ASRT's research, visit ASRT Education and Research Resources at :https://www.asrt.org/content/RTs/Research/research.aspx.

Read a special report on forensic applications for medical equipment in the January 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News.

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