Innovative Approach to Death Investigation

By Lakshmi Sammarco

Virtual autopsies are not just fictional storylines on forensic TV shows. Is "CSI Cincinnati" possible??

-The Body is "Scanned" and a 3D Reconstruction is made. Images are examined instead of cutting into the body.

-Can be used to "guide" a regular autopsy if needed. May eliminate the need for a full traditional Autopsy.

Why Do We Need This:

- Saves Time and Money.

-Brings in Revenue from other Counties.

-Permanent Record... can be examined by many physicians and sent electronically for other opinions

- Respects Religious and Social concerns that do not allow cutting into the deceased.

Why Dr. Sammarco:

-Board Certified Radiologist (Outside Consultant to bring this technology would be $750K-$1M just to set it up!)

-Connections with other Radiology experts already developing this in other parts of the country and the world.)

- Will bring the technology with minimal cost to the Tax Payers of Hamilton County... Run It Like A Business!

Current death investigations require traditional autopsy techniques which are labor intensive and expensive. The Coroner's office has the capacity to do around 1000 Autopsies per year or 3 per day. Research is being done to allow bodies to be scanned with special high resolution "CAT Scans" to determine the cause of death.

"Virtual Autopsy" technology has the potential to increase the capacity of the Coroner's Office without adding personnel and would dramatically increase the speed at which Autopsies can be done. A single CT scanner could do 30 to 40 cases per day at a fraction of the cost. This would allow Hamilton County to provide this service for surrounding counties and states, thereby generating funds for Hamilton County.

Dr. Sammarco's experience in radiology and three dimensional imaging makes her the ideal candidate to coordinate research efforts with The University of Cincinnati and to create a regional referral center.