Virtual autopsies (Virtopsy) are non-invasive, damaging neither the body nor forensic evidence. Virtopsy technique uses modern radiographical aids like computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan the dead bodies and obtain a more sensitive, specific, and accurate result than that from the conventional autopsy. Virtopsy can be employed as an alternative to standard autopsies for broad and systemic examination of the whole body as it is less time-consuming, aids better diagnosis, and renders respect to religious sentiments.
Virtopsy is quickly gaining importance in medicolegal cases. Virtual autopsies have an added benefit; the results are always available. For instance, in cases involving bite marks, 3-D images from the virtual autopsy can be compared to a suspect’s own dental records, if such records exist, and can help prosecutors to better understand…
