Introduction to the Investigation of Death and Post Mortem Computed Tomography

This first chapter introduces the evolving subspecialty of post mortem computed tomography (PMCT) for the investigation of non-suspicious adult deaths. It describes the types of autopsy (coronial, consent, forensic), the role of HM Coroner and how post mortem imaging may play an important role in the investigation of death, with a potential to avoid open autopsies in many cases. In some cases, when no clear diagnosis is derived, PMCT may guide further anatomical investigations. This chapter also discusses the importance of collaborative working in this field.