Surgical corpses without a scalpel

A technique that incorporates a method of visual display using magnetic resonance and a scanner method so far that is still applicable to living people, applied to surgical corpses without an autopsy.

Scanner (Photo: Virtopsy)

In the rooms for corpses, the technical revolution began in the form of an autopsy without a scalpel. Called Virtopsy, this method is considered the most successful in Switzerland, and it is the idea of ​​the head of the American forensic industry, Professor Gil Brogdon of the University of Alabama.

In 1998, Gil alerted his colleagues about his concern when the Department of Forensic Medicine was at risk of decline, and saw a sharp decrease in the number of forensic doctors and researchers from illnesses, are the only experts proficient in studying corpses to clarify the causes of death.

In order to facilitate the work of those who persistently choose this direction, he proposed to modernize the tools by applying medical visualization methods. And Gil's warning came to Berne, Switzerland, which was the birthplace of the Virtopsy project about performing an autopsy without surgery.

On the side of Professor Georges Léonetti, the forensic physician of La Timone University Hospital in Marseille, affirmed: 'It is clear that the analysis of corpses has always been done not only once if desired. . It is like archaeological excavation.

Swiss forensics have taken giant steps. It must be said that the facilities and funds they have available are quite convenient, with a technical background and 24-hour image display devices that are entirely devoted to this work. Results: for 3 years, hundreds of surgeries do not use scalpels and about 50 articles have been published in prestigious international forensic journals.

The corpse wrapped in transparent bag is being inserted into the scanner (Photo: Virtopsy)

That step is obviously very compelling: quickness, purity, accuracy, the ability to send images over the Internet, remote analysis with other experts in case of suspicion . That is not to mention the other benefits such as: safety if the corpses are at risk of spreading the disease, an easy way to handle in case of rejection for religious reasons, and also to produce photos Less shocking.

In short , 'a very Swiss sanitary opinion', that is the comment of Dr. Franck Clarot, forensic physician and radiation specialist of Rouen Hospital.

In Toulouse (France), Dr. Fabrice Dedouit is the first forensic expert to seriously care about this field. With the consent of the judge of the Court of Appeal of Toulouse, he conducted the first French study of how to remove the needless knife by applying a scanner method (sometimes using IRM) for about 40 bodies. , before conducting the autopsy according to the traditional method.

Like his Swiss colleagues, he appreciates the quality of the images that are available when they provide very accurate information about the injuries suffered by the victims.

Dr. Dedouit stated: 'First of all, displaying images allows diagnosing objects without direct impact . In the case of bullets, hangs, direct bone injuries or on rotting corpses, burnt or deformed due to the gas coming out of decay, it is clear that the picture is displayed. photos create a lot of advantages for work on forensics. Because normal autopsy has its limitations.

For forensic doctors, the goal is first to diagnose, but in practice, many situations can be problematic. For example, a case of a blockage of gas, which means there is gas in the bloodstream or in the heart. In this very special case, a definitive autopsy must be done by opening the chest under the water so that air bubbles can be seen. But obviously that can only be done if there is a doubt.

Image obtained from "surgery" with a Scanner (Photo: Virtopsy)

Dr. Dedouit also explains: 'The corpses are always wrapped in hooded sheets that the irradiation beam can penetrate, which avoids removing the body for manipulation when performing a visual display test'. . That's not to mention disinfecting the rooms after conducting the test.

The autopsy without a knife also causes many less scientific problems. First of all is the economic problem. On average, full-body scanner and IRM must be more expensive than conventional autopsy up to 300 euros. Moreover, the controversy also centers on moral and legal issues. Need to wonder about the persuasive value of the data provided. If we give a jury more 'tender' evidence, their reaction will be different. However, the reality is still reality. Therefore, attention must be paid to the inductive nature of subjectivity '.

Anyway, this new method has got supporters. For several months, National Geographie magazine has suggested through its Internet address the autopsy without using a knife for a mummy of a sacrificed Inca girl discovered in Peru in 2004.

Minh Thu