What Is a Virtual Autopsy?

An innovative technology known as virtual autopsies has emerged to help forensic pathologists determine a cause of death. Virtual autopsies can help families suffering from the loss of a loved one by not subjecting the deceased to an invasive autopsy. 

Also known as a digital autopsy, this new procedure avoids surgical dissection by using augmented reality headsets and artificial intelligence to inspect the body through forensic imaging technology.

In times of loss, families often do not know what to do. If a family member was lost to another party’s negligence, a wrongful death lawyer in Atlanta can help figure out the next steps. The Atlanta wrongful death attorneys at John Foy & Associates have decades of experience fighting for the maximum compensation to help families cover the damages they have suffered.

What Is a Virtual Autopsy?

According to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM), virtual or digital autopsies could outnumber the conventional post-mortem procedure in the recent future. Physical autopsies are invasive, expensive, and create more stress put on the family. In many cases, families also resist an autopsy for cultural or religious reasons. 

In digital autopsies, forensic imaging is generated from CT scans of the deceased. This technology has been paired with accurate and valid information from police and medical reports to build the total picture that can be viewed and analyzed. The collected images create an accurate and layered 3D projection that can be dissected by a pathologist using augmented reality (AR) headsets to interact with the image to determine the cause of death. 

Where this technology has become a widespread practice, it significantly reduces the need for physical autopsies, cutting the cases to less than half. Using digital autopsies could continue to soar after further research and pairing the process with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Currently, the postmortem imaging (PMI) techniques include: 

• Computed tomography
• Endoscopy
• Fluoroscopy
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Sonography
• X-rays

How Accurate Are Virtual Autopsies?

Forensic imaging technology was developed by medical students using virtual reality (VR) headsets to learn anatomy. After forensic imaging technology was introduced, it allowed for flexibility and a better view to analyze data associated with the body. 

Pathologists can see the exterior and interior of the body from multiple angles in seconds. Combining the success of this technology with AI could allow for thousands of full-body CT scans to pick up patterns or see issues that normal scans cannot see. It could also help diagnose and treat conditions like cancer and heart disease.

Most professionals are touting the successes of forensic imaging technology. It has been especially accurate in determining the cause of death in a timely manner without invasive surgical procedures. It also has the capacity to reduce coroners’ caseloads. Forensic imaging and digital autopsies are already being used on a widespread scale in Australia, with more than 15,000 performed each year.

What Are the Limitations of a Virtual Autopsy?

The research and implementation of virtual autopsies have progressed slowly. This is not unique. Many new technological advances take time and occasionally hit snags. A few of the limitations that have been experienced include: 

• Manpower
• Funding
• Professional relationships 

In order to perform a digital autopsy, technicians are required to go through specialized training. It has been hard to get to the training portion of the process because PMI programs have had a tough time getting funding for research and development.

Even though the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE) has been established and is ready to assist with virtual autopsies, there are still issues. Frequently, difficulties arise when medical facilities with this technology attempt to partner with the offices of medical examiners or coroners.

Can Forensic Imaging Technology Impact Wrongful Death Cases?

Forensic imaging technology can impact personal injury cases by reducing the trauma related to a wrongful death claim. When a post-mortem CT scan is done on the deceased, their body can be returned to the family sooner. When the bereaved family gets their loved one back, the dramatic indicators of a physical autopsy are not present in a digital one. The evidence gathered from these procedures is also less visually traumatic for all evolved.

Since 2012, forensic imaging has been applied to death investigations. The use of forensic imaging technologies in death investigations can take the guesswork out of the equation by pathologists making informed decisions from a wealth of available data. According to the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging (ISFRI), the identification and specification of traumatic injuries can be seen in more detail and with greater sensitivity when PMI is used over conventional methods.

PMCT Technology

One especially valuable tool in death investigations is post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) which is often used in addition to physical autopsies. Combining these two examinations have been effective in thousands of investigations to determine and provide a clearer picture of the cause of death that forensic pathologists commonly come across, including:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Medical malpractice
• Accidents with body trauma in multiple areas
• Disaster victims
• Chronic health conditions 
• Natural deaths

As virtual autopsies replace physical post-mortem surgeries, a person’s death can be given the attention it deserves. When a person dies because of someone else’s wrongful or negligent act, the death should be investigated fully, analyzing all the available data to find the truth.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Atlanta Today

For more than 20 years, John Foy and Associates’ knowledgeable team of Atlanta wrongful death lawyers has helped families fight for justice concerning their lost family members, holding liable parties responsible.

When insurance companies are pushing back on justice, our team of wrongful death attorneys in Atlanta can work to regain your family’s financial stability. We can negotiate and push for the compensation needed to recover from the economic and non-economic losses occurring because of their loved one’s death.

You can discuss the details of your case with no obligation to retain our services. And you owe us nothing until we get you the compensation your family needs to recover. In cases like these, time is crucial. So, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.