Virtual autopsy's impact on diagnosing brainrelated deaths in forensic medicine: A systematic review Tripathi Sachin Kumar1, Yadav Pradeep Kumar2,*, Singh Rajiv Ratan3, Singh Mousami4, Verma Anoop Kumar5, Singh Sakshi6 1Scientific Assistant, Toxicology Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 2Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute, Lucknow 3Professor (Jr), Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr. RML Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India 4Professor (Jr), Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 5Professor & HOD, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 6Research Scholar Anthropology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow *Corresponding Author Dr. Pradeep Kumar Yadav, Assistant Professor, 4th Floor, Academic Block, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute, Lucknow, Email : dctrprdp@gmail.com
Online published on 1 April, 2024. Abstract Introduction Due to the complexity of the brain's components, traditional autopsies frequently have difficulty detecting brain injuries. The development of virtual autopsies, which make use of cutting-edge imaging technology, presents an opportunity for forensic medicine. This abstract examines the use of virtual autopsy in forensic neuropathology and how it affects the identification of fatal brain injuries. Virtual autopsies have the potential to increase the precision and efficacy of diagnosis in situations involving brain injuries by applying cutting-edge imaging techniques. Aim This study aims to investigate the efficacy of virtual autopsy in diagnosing brain-related deaths. Methodology This article focused on virtual autopsies in diagnosing brain-related deaths. Various sources were searched for relevant information, analyzing the methodology, advantages, and limitations. It resulted in 114 hits, with 60 articles initially selected. After analysis, the sample was reduced to 54, excluding 21 samples due to download issues. Quality concerns led to the elimination of 33 articles, leaving 7 for full-text analysis. Finally, 26 papers were chosen for the study (n=26). Result Without intrusive procedures, virtual autopsy helps in identifying minor anomalies such as hemorrhages, wounds, malignancies, and infarctions. The non-invasive strategy improves diagnosis accuracy by lowering risks and making data storage, retrieval, and communication among professionals easier. Conclusion Virtual autopsy in forensic medicine is increasingly utilized to identify brain-related fatalities. Precise brain imaging helps locate and assess complex abnormalities, aiding accurate diagnosis and potential advancements in forensic neuropathology. More research and technological development are necessary to enhance its diagnostic capabilities and transform forensic medicine. Top Keywords Advanced imaging techniques, Brain-related deaths, Computed tomography, Diagnosing, Forensic neuropathology, Virtual autopsy. Top |