What is Virtual autopsy?
Virtual autopsy represents an innovative approach to forensic investigations, utilizing advanced imaging technologies like computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 3D surface scanning. This method serves as either an alternative or complement to conventional autopsy procedures. The Virtual autopsy (VA) has come as a boon to Forensic experts and the family of the deceased to avoid this painful experience. The concept of dignified management of dead is the need of the hour as every person deserves dignity and respect both during his lifetime and after his death. This concept of dignified management of dead includes handling the deceased bodies with dignity, safe preservation in cold cabinet, proper autopsy in medicolegal case, surgical restoration of the mutilated or dismembered body parts, embalming for preservation, packaging, and its hygienic and safe transportation for the last ritual.
Need for Virtual Autopsy
- Dignified Management of Dead: Virtual autopsy brings a more humanitarian angle to the post-mortem examination by preserving the dignity of the deceased and respecting their religious beliefs. Simultaneously decreases the mental trauma of relatives and friends by reducing avoidable /unnecessary internal dissection.
- Credible and Scientific Reports: A virtual autopsy using PMCT will help in a detailed study of minute things that are not even visible to the naked eye, which makes the report more scientific and credible. Digital documentation of relevant forensic findings helps in decreasing interobserver variation and also assists in reviewing the findings if required.
- Time Saving and Efficient: Virtual autopsy takes much less time and also more effective in terms of manpower requirement as compared to traditional autopsy. Traditional autopsies require more assistance during internal dissection which can be significantly reduced by using non-invasive /minimal invasive methods.
- Digitalization and Reproducibility of records: Virtual autopsy data can be stored for years in digital format utilizing very little space and can be studied, analyzed, reviewed and reproduce anytime as per the requirement.
- Minimize transmission of Infection: Virtual autopsy has unique advantages in the forensic examination of patients who died of infectious diseases as it minimizes the transmission of infection to great extent among autopsy surgeons and their assistants.
- Database for Age estimation: Estimation of age is important for various medicolegal aspects. Accumulated virtual autopsy image data facilitates preparing a database for age estimation with great accuracy.
- Research: Exploring the unexplode areas of forensic pathology with better image verification and detection of minute changes that are not visible to the naked eye
- Teaching tool: Through 3D virtual imaging technology, colored 3D images conforming to real human physiological structures supplemented with real case descriptions, related scenes and medical records provide vivid and real-life learning material for medical students.
History and Inauguration
Virtual autopsy project in India is the first of its kind in the SAARC nations. On24.09.20218 “Centre for Advanced Research and Excellence in Virtual Autopsy” was selected as one of the CARE’s by ICMR. With proper validation from Ministry of Health and Family welfare and the Honorable Union Health Minister, Government of India it was inaugurated on 20th March 2021 during the 2nd ANNUAL AIIMS FORENSIC Guild Conclave 2021 by Prof. Balram Bhargav, the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Workflow
Vision
1.Dignified Management of Dead & Humanitarian Forensics
2.Removal of Observer-dependent approach
3.Minimal/Noninvasive approach
4.Development of a Radiological Database
5.Credibility & Reproducibility of Autopsy reports
6.Nodal centre for training across the country
Applications and Advantages of Virtual Autopsy in Forensic Investigations
1. TRAUMA: Virtual autopsy helps to analyze fractures, including their location, type, and severity. PMCT is particularly valuable in cases where traditional autopsy may not be feasible or is not desired, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of skeletal injuries in a non-destructive manner.
2. GUNSHOT: Virtual autopsy is instrumental for non-invasive visualization of bullet trajectories, entry and exit wounds, and damage to internal structures. PMCT aids forensic pathologists in accurately assessing gunshot injuries, contributing vital information to investigations without the need for invasive procedures, such as traditional autopsies.
3. STAB: Virtual autopsy is invaluable in stab wound cases, offering non-invasive imaging for precise visualization of wound tracks, organ damage, and potential complications.
4. CARDIAC DEATH: Virtual autopsy aids in assessing heart-related pathologies, including coronary artery disease and structural abnormalities to a great extent.
5. ASPHYXIA: Virtual autopsy is crucial in asphyxia cases, providing non-invasive visualization of airway obstruction, hyoid fracture, narrowing of tracheal lumen, lung changes, and associated findings.
6. AGE /SEX/STATURE ESTIMATION: Virtual autopsy plays a significant role in age estimation by examining skeletal development, fusion of growth plates, and degenerative changes with proper metric measurements of bones.
7. OTHERS: Virtual autopsy also plays crucial role in determination of natural lung, and brain pathologies along with some rare case of body packers.
