The approach of virtual autopsy (VIRTOPSY) by postmortem multi-slice computed tomography (PMCT) in China for forensic pathology

Cadaveric skull and tissue cutting manipulator: autopsy equipment that provides safety against airborne infection and COVID-19

“…Another virtopsy technique, which reveals the powerful imaging of bone fractures and soft tissue injuries, is postmortem multi-slice computed tomography (PMCT). The application of PMCT in the field of forensic pathology is used for the analysis of the cause of death, for example, traffic accidents, fall from height, drowning, head injuries, gunshot injuries, cerebrovascular diseases, coronary artery diseases, pulmonary embolization, neonatal malformations, and medical malpractice; even though PMCT has many advantages, it needs special machine controller training and the machine is too expensive (Wan et al 2020 ). In general, global autopsy rates have been dropped continuously and they have been replaced by imaging-based autopsies.…”

Forensic Imaging: A Powerful Tool in Modern Forensic Investigation

“…In recent years, with the increasing recognition of its strengths, forensic imaging has been explored globally in forensic practice and research. For example, the forensic imaging research teams at the University Centre of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva [ 1 , 11 ], the University of Berne [ 5 ] and the University of Zurich [ 8 ] in Switzerland, employed forensic imaging techniques, particularly CT and MRI in their outstanding research; the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office of Maryland in the United States utilises CT as an auxiliary method in autopsy [ 12 ]; the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (disestablished in 2011, continues as American Institute of Radiologic Pathology) performed CT especially in gunshot and drown cases [ 13 , 14 ]; the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine in Australia [ 15 ] and the Institute of Forensic Medicine at University of Southern Denmark [ 16 ] performed CT scan along with standard autopsy in forensic cases; forensic pathologists in Italy made use of CT scan as a screening diagnostic test before conducting a traditional autopsy [ 17 ]; in Austria, researchers utilised forensigraphy imaging technique to detect relevant traces on and within the body of an examined person [ 18 ]; in Japan, 26 of 47 prefectures have at least one autopsy imaging centre with scanners that are dedicated for postmortem imaging [ 19 ]; the Academy of Forensic Science in China started conducting postmortem multi-slice computed tomography (PMCT) research since 2005 and has completed more than 500 forensic imaging cases with different causes of death [ 20 , 21 ], this team also contributed thin layer CT scanning and imaging reconstruction to estimate the age of teenagers through the sternal end of clavicle epiphyseal growth [ 22 ].…”

“…Forensic imaging has formally entered the field of forensics for nearly two decades, but due to its high cost, it is still not widely used in the daily work of forensics. The high costs include the instruments, the facility, the professional operator’s training, the hardware and software accessories and the maintenance [ 21 , 83 ]. In forensic pathology, sometimes imaging is unable to detect the pathological conditions in the deceased.…”

Virtopsy: A New Era in Forensic Medico-Legal Autopsies

“…Other findings such as presence of fluid in the air passage, paranasal sinuses, gastric and duodenal expansion also indicates that the victim was continuously breathing and swallowing even after falling into the water. Further the proof that water has entered into the respiratory and circulatory systems was established from the PMCT findings showing opacity in both the lungs (Figure 1) [10]. Jian et al performed a study involving drowned rabbit model.…”