In a first-of-its-kind, the Centre for Advanced Research and Excellence in Virtual Autopsy, situated at AIIMS Delhi has emerged as a pivotal institution not only in India but also in Southeast Asia. This center has taken on the task of pioneering the development of virtual autopsy in various institutes across the country, including NEIGRIMS Shillong, AIIMS Rishikesh, and AIIMS Guwahati.
The main goal of this center is to position India as a global leader in technological advancements within the field of forensic medicine. Professor and Head of the Forensic Medicine Department, Sudhir Gupta, has mentioned plans to establish additional centers in the near future as it marks its five-year milestone.
Sudhir Gupta mentioned that they meticulously assessed existing centers worldwide and then designed infrastructure and facilities that exceeded these benchmarks. The ICMR and the Government of India are interested in establishing more such centers for virtual autopsies across the nation. A second center has already been opened in Shillong at NEIGRIHMS (North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences).
With approximately 600 virtual autopsies conducted for comparative studies between traditional and virtual methods, Along with numerous research projects, the center has compiled a wealth of data. This data has proven invaluable, with over 100 cases handled through virtual means. It provides humanitarian relief to the deceased’s relatives and ensures dignified management of the deceased.
Nearly 100 virtual autopsies were completed in the past year alone, and the center operates at a pace of 6-7 autopsies daily. Virtual autopsies have encouraged the significant value and credibility of post-mortem reports. Virtual autopsies have also become key tools for education and training purposes. Innovative techniques like post-mortem CT angiography are being employed to find out the causes of sudden deaths in young adults.
Additionally, the center’s use of PMCT scanning in Virtual Autopsy has yielded substantial radiological data. This data is now being utilized for a range of medical research endeavors in clinical medicine and anthropology. Studies on anatomical variations of skeletal and organ structures in the human body and age-related ossification studies within the Indian population are just a glimpse of the various applications of this data.
The Centre for Advanced Research and Excellence in Virtual Autopsy at AIIMS Delhi stands as a light of the future for advancing forensic medicine. It is also contributing to medical research and the understanding of human anatomy.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Komal Bhoi/MSM)