FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, December 1, 2020 1

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Research in radiologic imaging technology for the practice of forensic 

pathology

Keyword(s): Postmortem examination; medicolegal death investigation; autopsy

Submitting subcommittee(s): MDI Date Approved: 2/28/2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

No.

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

No.

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

https://www-sciencedirect-com.liboff.ohsu.edu/science/article/pii/S1076633218301041?via%3Dihub 

https://europepmc.org/article/med/28819715

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

No.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

Using advanced imaging modalities, medical examiner/coroner offices would be able to provide more accurate 

and detailed information on injuries and other health conditions without the need for a full autopsy. This 

transition would help offices reduce workload as well as honor culturally based requests for non-invasive 

examinations. Furthermore, radiologic imaging technology has been shown to provide supplemental 

information to that gleaned from medicolegal autopsies, and in some cases, imaging can supplant the 

medicolegal autopsy. Implementing an efficient means to utilize deep learning algorithms would help offices 

with CT capabilities achieve better accuracy and potentially improve triaging processes.
FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, December 1, 2020 2

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

Ongoing investigation has already demonstrated that utilization of advanced imaging modalities in the 

postmortem setting can reduce workload by helping pathologists transition cases to external examinations.

Since pathologists are typically reviewing these images, assistive technologies such as deep/machine learning 

algorithms could help in accuracy and speed of triage in high volume offices. Examples include automated deep 

learning methods to identify projectiles, subtle lethal injuries (such as AO dislocation), or identification of 

natural disease that could be easily missed (such as lung consolidations). Other research could target efficient 

imaging protocols to help throughput of decedents, reducing wear and tear of machines, and additional ways to 

help offices with implementation.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

Research into computed tomography can further the criminal justice system by helping to ensure accurate 

interpretation, a permanent record for expert review, and a providing an effective means of communication to 

jurors. Computed tomography can render volumetric images to demonstrate injuries without the need for 

inflammatory photographs that may be marred by blood or other material. Further research could help with 

more sophisticated 3D renderings for jurors, deep learning algorithms to help elucidate injuries (such as wound 

paths), assurance of accuracy by assistive technologies, and possibly teleradiology protocols.

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): II

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.