Forensic Investigation and Autopsy

Medicolegal death investigation consisting of forensic investigation and autopsy remains an important issue not only in scientific, but above all in practical terms. Therefore, we would like to tackle the topic of Forensic Investigation and Autopsy to show that this is still a living field in which research is constantly being conducted and which has enormous practical significance. An example of such a research area, where we are already seeing huge advances, is modern imaging technologies such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which allow non-invasive internal examinations providing detailed 3D insights into the body without or before traditional autopsies. Thanks to 3D techniques, we can not only look inside the body, but also place it at the scene of the crime, which together allows for a comprehensive assessment of the cause, manner, and circumstances of death. On the other hand, developments that provide an opportunity for advances are artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies are very promising, for example, in the area of forensic histopathology, to assist in analysing postmortem tissue samples and improve the identification of microscopic changes. But they can also be useful for analysing macroscopic images at the site where the body was found. Perhaps these practices will become commonplace in the near future due to the shortage of qualified forensic scientists. There are of course more examples of such areas worth exploring, e.g., mobile apps for scene investigation that help document and record information at the scene in real time, international collaboration and standards or virtual reality technologies providing immersive training experiences, and many more.

These techniques can make investigations more accurate and efficient. Therefore, we invite submissions of reviews, original articles, and case reports on this area of forensic practice to our Special Issue.