title: Virtopsy - the concept of a centralized database in forensic medicine for analysis and comparison of radiological and autopsy data.
abstract: Recent developments in clinical radiology have resulted in additional developments in the field of forensic radiology. After implementation of cross-sectional radiology and optical surface documentation in forensic medicine, difficulties in the validation and analysis of the acquired data was experienced. To address this problem and for the comparison of autopsy and radiological data a centralized database with internet technology for forensic cases was created. The main goals of the database are (1) creation of a digital and standardized documentation tool for forensic-radiological and pathological findings; (2) establishing a basis for validation of forensic cross-sectional radiology as a non-invasive examination method in forensic medicine that means comparing and evaluating the radiological and autopsy data and analyzing the accuracy of such data; and (3) providing a conduit for continuing research and education in forensic medicine. Considering the infrequent availability of CT or MRI for forensic institutions and the heterogeneous nature of case material in forensic medicine an evaluation of benefits and limitations of cross-sectional imaging concerning certain forensic features by a single institution may be of limited value. A centralized database permitting international forensic and cross disciplinary collaborations may provide important support for forensic-radiological casework and research.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstrasse 20, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. emin.aghayev@memcenter.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Emin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aghayev
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Staub
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dirnhofer
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ambrose
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jackowski
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bolliger
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christe
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roeder
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aebi
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Thali
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D020407:Internet; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014584:User-Computer Interface