Virtopsy Update: The Next Level of Forensic Imaging is a comprehensive reference providing the latest developments, applications, and emerging research in forensic imaging in order to advance the field. It offers a state-of-the-art reference designed for forensic, criminal justice, and medico-legal professionals worldwide.
The book addresses the critical need for updated forensic imaging knowledge, as capabilities have dramatically improved in the last 10 to 15 years and will continue to impact and contribute to forensic science practices—both in the U.S. and globally. The content includes the work and research conducted by the internationally recognized members of Virtopsy team from the Forensic Institute at the University of Zurich. The book examines current imaging methods for human body analysis and crime scene documentation, while also exploring reconstruction techniques that synthesize physical and behavioral evidence. In addition, it evaluates how modern forensic imaging methods can potentially reconstruct crime scene events, providing professionals with advanced tools for hypothesis testing and investigation.
In this, techniques presented cover all current forms of imaging including sonography, angiography, CT, MR, MRI, and MRS for human body analysis. Coverage looks at strategies to apply to cases, crime reconstruction applications, and diagnostic techniques for diseases, trauma, and other diagnoses. The contributing author team comprises experts who are both internationally known and have an excellent reputation broadly within the field – having previously produced The Virtopsy Approach (CRC Press, 2009) and Brogdon's Forensic Radiology, Second Edition (CRC Press, 2010). Their combined expertise ensures that this book stands as a definitive, forward-looking resource for practitioners, educators, and researchers seeking to navigate the next era of forensic imaging.
Table of Contents:
1. Virtopsy Update -- The Historical Perspective. Technical chapters: 2. Forensic Surface Documentation. 3. Spectral Imaging – Basics and Forensic Applications. 4. Computed Tomography (CT) – Basics and Forensic Postmortem Applications. 5. Introduction to Magnetic Resonance. 6. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – Basics and Forensic Postmortem Applications. 7. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: Basics and Forensic Postmortem Challenges. 8. Sonography. 9. Imaging Guided Tissue (Biopsy) or Fluid Retrieval. 10. Use of contrast agent in PMCT. 11. DICOM / Pacs. 12. Visualization. 13. Machine Learning Techniques. Current developments and future perspectives: 14. The Virtobot System. 15. Forensic Holodeck. 16. Augmented Reality. 17. The VirtoScan Project. 18. ImagingRing forensics – A mobile CT scanner with integrated cameras for simultaneous 3D surface documentation. 19. 7 Tesla MRI and MRS – Basics and Forensic Postmortem Applications. 20. MRS in Forensic Medicine: Current developments and future perspectives. 21. Bone MRI and Synthetic CT – Basics and Forensic Postmortem Applications. 22. Photon-counting CT – Basics and Forensic Postmortem Applications. 23. Bullet Identification - Virtual Investigation of Lodged Bullets. 24. Micro-CT (µCT). 25. Forensic Medicine and 3D-Printing. 26. Computational methods. 27. Radiomics. Trauma diagnosis: 28. Forensic imaging of mechanical trauma. 29. Intoxication. Disease diagnosis: 30. Cardiovascular System. Other diagnosis: 31. Normal Postmortem Changes. 32. Stay Cool! – Freezing and Thawing in Forensic Medicine. Radiologic identification: 33. Identification of human remains. Visualization and documentation for reporting: 34. What Software to Use in Forensic Imaging. 35. Reading and documentation. Strategies and cases: 36. The forensic evaluation of evidence in legal settings. 37. Post-Mortem Imaging Workflows. 38. PMCT for triage.
About the Author :
Prof. Dr. Michael Thali has been working in the forensic medicine field for more than 25 years. He is the Director and full professor of “forensic medicine and relation to Jurisprudence” in Zurich institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland since 2011, providing leadership for 180 employees. In 1995, he received his medical license in Human Medicine, University Bern, Switzerland. After which, he spent 4 years between 1995 and 1999 as a resident in the institute of forensic medicine, University Bern. He was also a Radiology resident from 1999 to 2000. In 2001, Prof. Thali became a research fellow of Ballistics in Arma Suisse, Thun, Switzerland, and a research fellow in Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington D.C. , U.S.A from 2001 until 2002. Between the years 2002 and 2005, Prof. Thali worked as a Forensic Pathologist and a project leader (Virtopsy) in the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Bern, Switzerland. One year after, he became a full professor of forensic medicine and a Co-Director until 2008, and a Director from 2008 until 2011. In 2011, Prof. Thali joined Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland as a Director and Full Professor. Providing leadership for 180 employees. In 2000, he got the Board certification in Forensic Medicine from the Swiss Society of Forensic Medicine and Swiss Medical Doctors´ Association. In 2001, he won the Science Prize of the German Society of Legal Medicine, for “Forensic Imaging”. In 2012, he became a Founding Editor in Chief “Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging”, and a Co-Founder CAS-course MedLaw University Zürich. He was the Founder CAS-course Forensic Imaging & Virtopsy in 2013, and the Founder CAS-course Forensic Nurse in 2014. In 2015, Prof. Thali was awarded the Swiss ICT Award for Digital Forensics and Virtopsy. He is also the Founder of CAS-course Medicolegal Death Scene Investigation in 2016, and the Founder CAS-course Natural Science in Forensics. Prof. Thali is also an Editor of several books covering Forensic Imaging and Ballistics. He has many Scientific publications, and has done Over 200 keynotes and scientific presentations worldwide.
