title: [Legal aspects of post-mortem radiology in the Netherlands].
abstract: In the Netherlands, the application of post-mortem radiology (virtual autopsy) is on the rise. Contrary to conventional autopsy, with post-mortem radiology the body remains intact. There is uncertainty concerning the legal admissibility of post-mortem radiology, since the Dutch Corpse Disposal Act does not contain any specific regulations for this technique. Autopsy and post-mortem radiology differ significantly from a technical aspect, but these differences do not have far-reaching legal consequences from a legal perspective. Even though the body remains intact during post-mortem radiology, the bodily integrity of a deceased person is breached if it would be applied without previously obtained consent. This permission can only be obtained after the relatives are fully informed about the proposed activity. In this respect, it is not relevant which technique is used, be it post-mortem radiology or autopsy. Therefore, the other legal conditions for post-mortem radiology are essentially identical to those for autopsy.
authors.affiliation: Radboudumc, afd. Radiologie en Nucleaire Geneeskunde, Nijmegen.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Venderink
authors.forename: J C J
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dute
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D011859:Radiography; D011871:Radiology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*