Institute of forensic medicine Bern

The Virtopsy research project ( Whats the idea behind the term virtopsy?) builds on a unique logistical structure: due to the close cooperation of the main researchers with differing research focuses, the project aims at five goals: The implementation of radiological digital imaging methods (Multislice - Computed Tomography/MSCT and Magnetic Resonance Imaging/MRI) as main diagnostic tools in forensic pathology, ultimately leading to minimally invasive autopsy analogous to keyhole surgery in clinical medicine. With use of imaging techniques (CT and MRI), photogrammetry and three-dimensional optical measuring techniques, a reliable, accurate geometric presentation of all forensic findings (the body surface as well as the interior) should be achieved. With this technology, exact forensic-medical reconstructions can be performed. The application of photogrammetry and 3D surface scanning in forensic reconstruction in addition to radiological imaging techniques as well as the devel...