Virtual autopsy in legal medicine: literature review and example of application on the mummified remains

  • Ivana Kružić University Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Split
  • Ivan Jerković University Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Split
  • Frane Mihanović University Department of Health Studies, University of Split
  • Ana Marušić Department of Research in Bioimedicine and Health, University of Split School of Medicine
  • Šimun Anđelinović University of Split, Rector’s Office
  • Željana Bašić University Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Split
Keywords: Virtual examination, autopsy, MSCT, paleopathology, mummy, sacral remains

Abstract

The virtual autopsy and post-mortem imaging methods are relatively novel methods used in medicine to determine cause and manner of death. They can also be exceptionally useful in the process of identification. Although they have numerous advantages, they are still not implemented in practice to a sufficient extent because the methodology has not yet been validated, and studies that deal with legal and practical implications of those methods are relatively scarce. In this article we describe basic principles and advantages of the methodology, explore related legal and practical issues, and present a case of virtual autopsy in practice on the mummified remains of St. Ivan Olini from Church of St. Blaise in Vodnjan (Croatia).

Virtualna obdukcija in postmortalna metoda slikanja sta relativno novi metodi v medicini za ugotovljanje vzroka in načina smrti. Izjemno koristni sta lahko tudi v procesu identifikacije. Kljub številnim prednostim pa se v praksi še vedno ne izvajata v zadovoljivem obsegu, ker metodologija še ni potrjena, študije, ki se ukvarjajo s pravnimi in praktičnimi posledicami teh metod, pa so redke. V tem članku so opisana temeljna načela in prednosti metodologije, preučevana so pravna in praktična vprašanja ter predstavljen primer virtualne obdukcije v praksi na mumificiranih ostankih sv. Ivana Olinija iz cerkve sv. Blaža v Vodnjanu (Hrvaška).

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Published
2018-10-22
How to Cite
Kružić I., Jerković I., Mihanović F., Marušić A., Anđelinović Šimun, & Bašić Željana. (2018). Virtual autopsy in legal medicine: literature review and example of application on the mummified remains. Medicine, Law & Society, 11(2), 67-90. https://doi.org/10.18690/mls.11.2.67-90.2018
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Articles