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Scanning the Dead
07 November 2014

Scanning the Dead

This is a computed tomography (CT) scan of a dead seal’s head. CT is a noninvasive imaging technique that uses X-rays to capture hundreds of virtual slices, which are then reconstructed into a 3D model that can be virtually dissected. In recent years, CT scans have emerged as a new way to perform autopsies. Criminal forensic investigators like the method because it creates a digital record of the evidence. But clinical pathologists are increasingly turning to CT scans, too. One reason is that it can reveal causes of death, particularly those involving damage to soft tissue and blood vessels, in cases where hands-on dissection would destroy evidence. The ‘virtopsy’ won’t replace the scalpel just yet. But its champions hope it will complement conventional methods and help to reverse the recent decline of postmortems in hospitals, where doctors can learn from the deceased in order to improve their powers of diagnosis.

Written by Daniel Cossins

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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