Exploring the Efficacy of Virtual Autopsy vs Scientific Conventional Autopsy: A Comparative Study in A Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract Purpose: Virtual autopsy, or "virtopsy", is a non-invasive autopsy technique using advanced imaging modalities such as CT and MRI to evaluate internal and external body structures. It serves as a viable alternative to scientific conventional autopsy, especially in cases with cultural, religious, or emotional objections to internal dissection. It also serves a material evidence for production in the court even after disposal of the body. This study is aimed to compare the findings of virtual autopsy with those of scientific conventional autopsy and assess the advantages and limitations of each method. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 12 months (December 2023–December 2024) at MIMS, Mandya, involving 30 deceased individuals referred for postmortem CT. All cases underwent whole-body CT scanning, followed by scientific conventional autopsy using standard dissection techniques. Data on age, sex, history, imaging findings, autopsy results, and cause of death were collected and analyzed. Results: The study population included 30 deceased individuals—15 males and 15 females—distributed across three age groups, with the majority (50%) aged 21–40 years. Virtual autopsy demonstrated nearly 100% sensitivity in detecting fractures, dislocations, and pathological gas collections, and proved more accurate in subcutaneous pneumatosis. Intracranial hemorrhages were identified with 100% sensitivity and specificity by both modalities. However, scientific conventional autopsy was superior in identifying atheromatous arterial changes, external injuries like abrasions and ligature marks. Scientific conventional autopsy is also advantageous in microscopic and toxicological analyses as the samples may be collected and sent. Conclusion: Virtual autopsy is a valuable adjunct to scientific conventional autopsy, offering high sensitivity in detecting internal injuries and preserving the integrity of the body. While it cannot fully replace scientific conventional autopsy due to limitations in histological and toxicological analysis, it significantly enhances postmortem diagnostics and is very much useful in cases with restricted autopsy consent.