Benefits
RSNA.org says that given that forensic evidence doesn't last forever, virtual autopsy's most obvious benefit is that it creates a digital 3D image - a permanent record that can be studied, archived or sent on to others. This ease of documentation also makes a virtual autopsy particularly well suited for use as courtroom evidence, taking the place of graphic or disturbing photographs. It's a system that not only keeps evidence intact, but also provides a thorough look at areas of the body that may otherwise be difficult to examine.

CT and MRI full-body scans of the dead are non-invasive and can be easily manipulated by cropping, zooming and rotating in any direction. For example, in gunshot victims, bullet paths can be tracked instantly and in stabbing victims, wounds are clearly visible. Under normal physical autopsy conditions - this information could take hours to obtain.
Any information gathered by a normal autopsy has to be obtained and evaluated immediately because the body does not maintain; whereas a virtual autopsy's scans can be retrieved and used at any time and can be used in a court of law as evidence without the need to show graphic photographs of the victim.

It's even more valuable when working with overly delicate subjects. Not all causes of death can be investigated quickly. Some take years to be handled, some take significantly longer. Using medical imaging, Dr. Ashraf Selim from the Cairo University in Egypt may have solved a case that remained a mystery for centuries.

Ancient Egypt - King Tutankhamun.
It was thought that King Tut might have been murdered (bludgeoned to death) because of two men - Aye who succeeded Tut as King and General Horemhab who in turn succeeded Aye to the throne. Although the mummy of King Tut was in horrific condition at the time of discovery, Dr. Selim was able to determine by medical imaging that smaller leg fractures had accompanied open wounds that became infected and were likely the cause of King Tut's untimely death.

Dr. Selim and Dr. Yehia Zakaria of the National Research Center have also carried out CT scans on two fetuses that were found in 1922 in the tomb of King Tutankhamun. They are believed to be King Tut's stillborn children. Along with the CT scans, Drs. Selim and Zakaria also took DNA samples in hopes of determining the fetuses' mother as well as Tutankhamun's family lineage.

DNA Revolution
The fact that DNA molecules have links to the past, present and future can be life changing. DNA identification is effective when used to identify suspects and victims in criminal investigations, exonerating persons wrongly accused of crimes, identifying catastrophe victims, establishing paternity and other family relationships, identifying endangered and protected species as an aid to wildlife officials, detecting bacteria and other organisms that may pollute air, water, soil and food and matching organ donors in transplant programs.

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