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Review
. 2025 May 12:5:1557636.
doi: 10.3389/fradi.2025.1557636. eCollection 2025.

VIRTual autOPSY-applying CT and MRI for modern forensic death investigations

Dominic Gascho  1
Affiliations
Review

VIRTual autOPSY-applying CT and MRI for modern forensic death investigations

Dominic Gascho. Front Radiol. .

Abstract

Virtual autopsy, an advanced forensic technique, utilizes cutting-edge imaging technologies such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the cause and manner of death without the need for physical dissection. By creating detailed, three-dimensional data of the entire body or specific areas of interest, these post-mortem imaging modalities provide a comprehensive, non-invasive approach to examining decedents. This article explores the historical development of virtual autopsy, its current applications in forensic medicine, and its promising future. It highlights the crucial roles of CT and MRI in forensic death investigations, while also addressing the challenges and limitations associated with these imaging techniques in post-mortem examinations.

Keywords: forensic imaging; postmortem computed tomography (PMCT); postmortem computed tomography angiography (PMCTA); postmortem imaging; postmortem magnetic resonance (PMMR) imaging; postmortem magnetic resonance spectroscopy; virtual autopsy (VIRTOPSY).

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author declared that he was an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The term Virtopsy® (virtual autopsy) refers to the application of imaging technologies, such as CT and MRI, in forensic medicine to advance forensic death investigations. These post-mortem imaging techniques enable three-dimensional documentation of the entire body or specific regions, supporting accurate reconstructions and precise measurements.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Using consistent data from both Scopus® (Elsevier®) and Web of science™ (Clarivate™) for the period from 2019 to 2024, an overview was compiled of the top 10 countries with scientific publications on CT (A: search terms “postmortem CT” and “PMCT”) and CTA (B: search terms “postmortem CT angiography” and “PMCTA”).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Post-mortem CT angiography visualized in 3D using cinematic rendering (A and B) and in individual cross-sectional slices (C) the rupture site is located above the valvular plane, extending ventrally with hemorrhage into the pericardial and mediastinal spaces. A Stanford type A aortic dissection originates at the level of the valvular plane/aortic root and continues supra-aortically, involving the brachiocephalic trunk and extending into the right subclavian artery, with a short segment also affecting the left subclavian artery.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Post-mortem MRI examination of the heart shows a hyper-intense (bright) region in the septum and parts of the anterior wall of the left ventricle on the T2-weighted image, indicating myocardial edema; the corresponding autopsy slice is located in the upper left.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Thali MJ, Yen K, Schweitzer W, Vock P, Boesch C, Ozdoba C, et al. Virtopsy, a new imaging horizon in forensic pathology: virtual autopsy by postmortem multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–a feasibility study. J Forensic Sci. (2003) 48:386–403. 10.1520/JFS2002166 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Dirnhofer R, Jackowski C, Vock P, Potter K, Thali MJ. VIRTOPSY: minimally invasive, imaging-guided virtual autopsy. Radiographics. (2006) 26:1305–33. 10.1148/rg.265065001 - DOI - PubMed
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    1. Brogdon BG, Lichtenstein JE. Brogdon’s forensic radiology—chapter 2. Forensic radiology in historical perspective. In: Thali MJ, Viner MD, Brogdon BG, editors. Brogdon’s Forensic Radiology. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press – Taylor & Francis Group; (2011). p. 9–24.
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