Virtopsy Update by Thali, Michael;

Short description:

Virtopsy Update: The Next Level of Forensic Imaging provides the latest developments, applications, and emerging research topics in forensic imaging. It offers a state-of-the-art reference designed for forensic, criminal justice, and medico-legal professionals worldwide.

Long description:

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.