Virtopsy started as a research project in 2000, with the hypothesis that non-invasive imaging might predict autopsy findings and maybe give additional information at the Institutes of Forensic Medicine and of Diagnostic Radiology of the University of Bern, Switzerland. The term virtopsy is derives from the words ‘virtual’ and ‘autopsy’. The former comes from the Latin word ‘virtus’, which means useful, efficient, and good. The word ‘autopsy’ is a combination of the classical Greek terms ‘autos’ (self) and ‘opsomei’ (I will see). Thus, autopsy means to see with one’s own eyes. In order to eliminate the subjectivity implied by autos, Dirnhofer et al. merged the terms virtual and autopsy, deleting autos, to create the term virtopsy (Thali et al., 2007). Virtopsy employs radiological imaging methods that are also used in clinical medicine such as multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic …show more content…
Autopsy can be performed privately if the attending physician or family members request for one. The introduction of virtopsy would allow more inquiry into determining the cause of death in non-criminal cases where families may object the destructive nature of the autopsy and/or due to religious beliefs prohibiting cutting open of the body. For example, the religion of the Orthodox Judaism and Islam stresses the non-violation of the dead bodies and quick burial. The appeal of virtopsy thus provides an alternative where pathologist or doctors are able to avoid the uncomfortable task of asking the grieving family members for consent on performing a conventional autopsy to confirm the cause of death. The shift in the perception of the public would likely play a part in contributing to the increase use of virtopsy as the public becomes known of its presence. (Mahmood,
Introduction: Mary Roach introduces herself ass a person who has her own perspective of death about cadavers. She explains the benefits of cadavers and why they could be used for scientific improvements. She acknowledges the negative perspectives of this ideology.
A psychological autopsy is an investigative technique, usually employed by psychologists, which is used to determine how death had occurred in equivocal death cases (Fulero & Wrightsman, 2009). This technique is used to try and understand the mindset of the deceased person to help answer certain questions like why did the individual do what they did and why did it occur at that time? The investigator will collect data about the individual, like written correspondence and journ...
...urvivors and any of these people may taint the process by providing “biased” recollections. The most commonly cited limitation or weakness of psychological autopsies is the lack of any standardized procedures for conducting them (Roberts & Baker, 2009, Psychological Autopsy, Limitations of Psychological Autopsies section, para.2). Although psychologists have developed a standardized guide with twenty-six categories to assist investigators in conducting psychological autopsies, not all of the categories are applicable to every case or are considered by every psychologist conducting a psychological autopsy (Roberts & Baker, 2009, Psychological Autopsy, Limitations of Psychological Autopsies section, para.2). Lacks, Westveer, Dibble and Clemente (2008) question its validity and reliability as the accuracy of equivocal death analysis has not been empirically studied.
The term autopsy also referred to as “Post-mortem examination”, “necropsy”, “obduction” and “ autopsia cadaverum” originates from the Latin language and denotes to “open, cut/dissect”. Another origin is from two Greek terms “aut” (self) and “opsie” (to see, to conduct a personal inspection) hence, autopsy refers to the opening/dissection of a cadaver to see for oneself, through observation, the cause of death or the nature of disease contrary to what has been reported by another party. Autopsy practice has been in existence since over 3000 years ago. It was however, not until the Renaissance in Europe that autopsy became standard practice (1,2). The link between clinical syndromes and postmortem findings is credited to the Dutch physician Herman Boerhaave (3).
The word “Death” has connotation meaning to it. Many are afraid of the unknown, but others are fascinated. If there's death there must be a body to claim. The career of a Medical Examiner focuses on dead people. This is the next step of my journey I would like to accomplish. Due to the career research project I was capable to expand my knowledge and reflect about my future career. In this research I was able to acquire more information a about what a Medical Examiner is, the requirements and it's income.
Death is part of the circle of life and it's the end of your time on earth; the end of your time with your family and loved ones. Nobody wants to die, leaving their family and missing the good times your loved ones will have once you pass on. In the Mercury Reader, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross “On the Fear of Death” and Joan Didion “Afterlife” from The Year of Magical Thinking” both share common theses on death and grieving. Didion and Kübler-Ross both explain grieving and dealing with death. Steve Jobs commencement speech for Stanford’s graduation ceremony and through personal experience jumps further into death and how I feel about it. Your time is on earth is limited one day you will die and there are many ways of grieving at the death of a loved one. I believe that the fear of death and the death of a loved one will hold you back from living your own life and the fear of your own death is selfish.
Forensic evidence can provide just outcomes in criminal matters. However, it is not yet an exact science as it can be flawed. It can be misrepresented through the reliability of the evidence, through nonstandard guidelines, and through public perception. Forensic science can be dangerously faulty without focus on the ‘science’ aspect. It can at times be just matching patterns based on an individual’s interpretations. This can lead to a miscarriage of justice and forever alter a person’s life due to a perceived “grey area” (Merritt C, 2010) resulting in a loss of confidence in the reliability of forensic evidence.
Shadowing in autopsies satisfied my early high school curiosity in that I was able to understand the anatomy of the human body. Knowing the appearance of a normal organ helped me to recognize when an organ was abnormal whether that was through weight or appearance. I have learned that the human body encapsulates teachable knowledge and evidence that leads to the diagnosing of disease and corresponding treatment. My time spent shadowing in autopsies confirmed my interest in learning more about the field of medicine and the doctor’s role in direct patient care. I have shadowed Dr. Simmons, a cardiology specialist and Dr. Fitzhugh at the NIH sickle cell department. In cardiology, I witnessed the physician’s role in patient education regarding
... In the next portion of my ten page paper, I will explore the other topics stated in my thesis. My final paper will merely be a continuation of the topics that I have written about in this paper. I will explore and go into depth with the topic of human embalmment and its significance to the work of modern medicine today. I would also like to compare modern day embalment for funerals with embalment rituals used in Ancient Egypt.
Use of Forensic Science in Cuban Criminal Justice I have always wanted to travel to Cuba because I love the culture and wanted to know more. I have always heard that the doctors in Cuba are some of the best in the world and recently the Cuban scientists have developed a new technique used in forensic science and, since forensic science is my mayor, I am interested in learning more about forensic science in Cuba. I am studying Cuba to know why forensic science has become such a large importance within the Cuban criminal justice system and why Cuban forensic scientists are leading internationally in the forensic science field.
The topic I find such fascinating is Forensic Science and how forensic science has significantly changed over the years. “The area of forensic science has grown considerably over the last 150 years and more so since the mid 1980’s.” (Lyman, 2016) Forensic science has gone from taking basic information, and fingerprints to DNA and blood splatter. During a crime scene investigation evidence is collected, analyzed in a crime laboratory and then if needed are presented to the court. However, today the crime laboratory is becoming mobile and can go to the scene to analyze the evidence. Each crime scene and investigation is unique and distinctive, with the help of forensics it can help solve a case.
According to the American academy of forensic science, the forensic sciences form a vital part if the entire justice and regulatory system. Forensic science is an enticing career having to do with science and criminal justice, a large variety of schooling is needed to start this job Despite the fact that it can be a dangerous environment it can be an exciting profession to pursue. There are many different fields in forensic science that you can study or major in but they all have the same objectives.
Images of human anatomy have been around for more than 500 years now. From the sketches created by Leonardo da Vinci, to the modern day Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, images have played a great role in medicine. Evolution in medical imaging brought together people from various disciplines such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, a collaboration which has further contributed to healthcare as a whole. Modern day imaging improves medical workflows by facilitating a non-invasive insight into human body, accurate and timely diagnostics, and persistence of an analysis.
When most think about death and the after life they suddenly become shaken. Is death painful? Is it scary? Is there like after death? Are we truly at peace? What happens to our soul? Those who believe that God is our creator they seem to be less frightened about the idea of death. Socrates on the other hand was never once frightened about the idea of death.
Hillman, Bruce J. (1997, September 6). Medical imaging in the 21st century. The Lancet, vol. 350, p. 731.