Virtopsy, a New Imaging Horizon in Forensic Pathology: Virtual Autopsy by Postmortem Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)—a Feasibility Study

Abstract

Using postmortem multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 40 forensic cases were examined and findings were verified by subsequent autopsy. Results were classified as follows: (I) cause of death, (II) relevant traumatological and pathological findings, (III) vital reactions, (IV) reconstruction of injuries, (V) visualization. In these 40 forensic cases, 47 partly combined causes of death were diagnosed at autopsy, 26 (55%) causes of death were found independently using only radiological image data. Radiology was superior to autopsy in revealing certain cases of cranial, skeletal, or tissue trauma. Some forensic vital reactions were diagnosed equally well or better using MSCT/MRI. Radiological imaging techniques are particularly beneficial for reconstruction and visualization of forensic cases, including the opportunity to use the data for expert witness reports, teaching, quality control, and telemedical consultation. These preliminary results, based on the concept of “virtopsy,” are promising enough to introduce and evaluate these radiological techniques in forensic medicine.

Magnetic resonance imaging goes postmortem: noninvasive detection and assessment of myocardial infarction by postmortem MRI

“…A variety of natural causes of death were exemplarily published by predominantly forensic-radiological research groups. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] It should not be surprising for any physician that macromorphological findings such as major intracerebral bleedings, aortic dissections, pericardial tamponades, for the first time [14][15][16] . In clinical MR examinations only contrast enhanced sequences allow sufficient cardiac MR imaging.…”

Pneumomediastinum and Cervical Soft Tissue Emphysema as an Important Vital Sign in Hanging: An Autopsy Based Prospective Study

“…Postmortem multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been the constant and regular procedures carried out in some developed nations to know the inside story of the corpse prior to dissection [16,17]. The cross sectional radiological imaging methods used in clinical medicine have been implemented in the field of forensic medicine which have revolutionized forensic case work.…”

The Importance Of Virtopsy In The Forensic Autopsy

“…Ros, yaptığı bir çalışmada; artık postmortem MRG ile de geleneksel otopside çok önemli bir bulgu olan ölü doğmuş infantlarda ölümün ilk nefes almadan önce oluştuğunu gösteren akciğerlerin havasız olmasının belirlenebildiğini göstermiştir (3). MRG adli tıbbi muayenelerde örneğin, iple boğma olgularında yaşayanların boynunun incelemesinde de önemli bir role sahiptir (19).…”

“…Bunun yanında dijital radyoloji alt yapısının kurulmasının gerekliliği ve şimdi-lik pahalı olması, cesetlerin veya parçalarının dijital radyoloji servisine taşın-ma zorunluluğu, uygun bilgisayar yazılım araçları-nın kullanımı ve verilerin doğru y o r u m l a n a b i lmesi için eğitim zorunluluğunun olması; virtopsinin kullanımındaki olumsuz yönler olarak söylenebilir (1,3,5).…”