Virtual autopsies set new 'gold standard' in forensic medicine: Top Swiss pathologist

• At international conference in Antalya, Türkiye, Thali highlights technique as culturally sensitive alternative to traditional autopsies

ANTALYA

The rising trend in forensic medicine is “virtual autopsies,” according to a distinguished medical pathologist, saying they set a new "gold standard" that allows for quicker and more accurate results without physically opening the body.

Speaking to Anadolu on Wednesday at Türkiye’s 20th International Forensic Medicine Days congress in the resort city of Antalya, Michael Josef Thali explained that the non-invasive technique relies on imaging technologies such as computer tomography (CT), MRI, and 3-D imaging to examine both internal and external structures.

Thali, a professor and director of the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Zurich, also emphasized the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in this process.

"The artificial intelligence development is coming to this technique as an add-on," he said. "At the moment, we are using the same clinical machines like in a hospital setup," he added, noting that existing imaging devices in hospitals can also be used to examine cadavers.

Thali said that younger generations in particular are increasingly drawn to the use of technology and AI in forensic science, and he hopes to raise greater awareness of virtual autopsies in both scientific circles and the public.

Can be used in 1/3 of previously traditional autopsies

Calling virtual autopsies the “new gold standard,” Thali emphasized the technique’s advantages. “The scan is very fast. It takes maybe five minutes," he said.

"At the moment, around 100 countries are already using this approach."

Thali stated: “We introduced it at the University of Zurich 10 years ago. We scan everybody and it is not a problem.”

Even decomposed or burned/mutilated bodies can be examined, he explained.

On its impact in Switzerland, he added: "At the University of Zurich, using this technology, we could already replace one-third of the classical autopsies using virtual autopsies ... That's the main effect."

Thali also stressed that virtual autopsies help address cultural and religious concerns linked to conventional, invasive autopsies: “You have the full information and you do not have to open the body. The whole body can be protected.”

Last year, around 600 participants from Türkiye and 18 other countries attended the annual forensic congress in Antalya, and this year, that rose to 780 attendees from 27 countries.

The 20th International Forensic Medicine Days are set to conclude on Sunday.