Digitally Autopsy as an Option

Matt Chandran, a Malaysian entrepreneur, wants to replace the traditional way of performing an autopsy with digital scanning. This could quicken the process and deal with problems such as “religious sensibilities”. Chandran talks about the huge number of autopsies performed each year. Out of 70 million deaths each year around a tenth of those require an autopsy. Because of this number he sees this digital approach as a service. Chandran wants to remove the distaste of autopsies by using 3D imaging software that won’t require a scalpel. These digital autopsies can make it easier to identify fractures or foreign objects like bullets. Not requiring a traditionally invasive autopsy could be a big advantage. Chandran would like to commercialize this service and have it available to families who would like another option besides the traditional autopsy. Though there are skeptics who think that this digital autopsy won’t be able to replace the traditional way it is certainly a step towards the future.

The real problem for the United States Justice System is that the defense will always question whether not conducting a physical examination could miss valuable information not recorded with a virtual scan.

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Citation:

Wagstaff, J. Reuters. Sliced and diced, digitally: autopsy as a service. Retrieved January 4th, 2014 from http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/20/us-autopsies-digital-idUSBRE97J0XB20130820

 

[Abstract written by Alicia Terrell, ForensIQ Intern, 020614]