Beyond Death

This month, we present the following article:

A study of the added value of combining PMCT and PMMR of the head. Forensic Imaging. 2024; 33: 200022. doi: 10.1016/j.fri.2024.200022Ingrid I.H. Haest a

This retrospective study evaluates the impact of combining postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) and postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMR) of the head in forensic investigations. The findings suggest that integrating PMMR with ...

In this episode of Beyond Death, hosts Mark and Lindsay speak with Danielle Sharp, founder of the Centre for Safer Society, about her groundbreaking work leading domestic abuse-related death reviews. Danielle shares how these reviews uncover vital lessons from tragic cases, the evolving scope beyond homicides to include suicides and unexplained deaths, and the emotional toll on professionals involved in the process.

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This month, we present the following article:

Solomon N, Gascho D, Adolphi NL, Filograna L, Sanchez H, Gill JR, Elifritz J. The evolution of postmortem investigation: a historical perspective on autopsy’s decline and imaging’s role in its revival. Frontiers in Radiology. 2025;5:1565012. doi: 10.3389/fradi.2025.1565012.

This episode delves into the decline of traditional autopsy and the growing role of postmortem imaging (PMI) in fo...

To mark 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 🎂 of the #BeyondDeath podcast, we’re celebrating with a special compilation episode: 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 & 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲.

Every guest this year has answered the same final question:

👉 “𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛, 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲, 𝐨𝐫 𝐲�...

In this episode of Beyond Death, Prof Susie Shelmerdine speaks with Dr. Natasha Davendralingham about the path to specialising in post-mortem imaging. Natasha shares her journey from medical student to expert radiologist, the challenges of training in this niche field, and the importance of hands-on experience. She also discusses the growing demand for post-mortem imaging, the need for structured education, and why this work is vit...

This month, we present the following article:

De-Giorgio F, Benedetti B, Mancino M, Sala E, Pascali VL. Post-Mortem Imaging Biobanks: Building Data for Reproducibility, Standardization, and AI Integration. European Journal of Radiology. 2025;185:112011. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2025.112011.

The discussion explores the role of post-mortem imaging biobanks in forensic and clinical research, emphasising their potential for standardising...

In this episode of Beyond Death, Dr. Natasha Davendralingham sits down with Professor Susie Shelmerdine, academic radiologist, AI thought leader, and co-founder of Anubix. Susie shares her journey into post-mortem imaging, how a personal experience shaped her career, and the creation of the world’s first post-mortem imaging education platform. She also discusses the evolving role of AI in death care, the misconceptions around post-...

In this episode of Beyond Death, Dr. Susie Shelmerdine sits down with Dr. Natasha Davendralingham, co-founder of Anubix and post-mortem radiologist, to discuss the journey of building a pioneering post-mortem imaging service.

Natasha shares her path from medicine to entrepreneurship, the challenges of launching a business in the death care sector, and the passion that drives her work. She also opens up about the misconceptions surr...

This month, we present the following article:

Loughnan SA, Wojcieszek AM, Singline L, et al. Post-Mortem Imaging to Investigate the Causes of Stillbirth in Australia: Views of Parents, Midwives and Obstetricians.

Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology. 2025;0:1–10. doi: 10.1111/1754-9485.13828.

The discussion explores the role of post-mortem imaging (PMI) in stillbirth investigations, examining the perspectives of pare...

In this episode of Beyond Death, hosts Dr. Mark Viner and Lindsay Batty-Smith sit down with Rachel Duncan, a Metropolitan Police Coroner’s Officer, to explore the vital but often misunderstood role of coroner’s officers in death investigations.

Rachel shares her journey from forensic science student and special constable to her current role, where she supports bereaved families, gathers critical information for coroners, and helps ...

In this episode of Beyond Death, hosts Mark and Lindsay interview Kerry Daynes, one of the UK’s most trusted forensic psychologists. With a career spanning nearly three decades, Kerry has worked with everyone from serial killers to vulnerable individuals, delving into the human psyche and the systemic challenges of justice.

Kerry offers insights into her pioneering work, the importance of 'rational compassion,' and unforgettable ca...

Welcome to the February Journal Club!

This month, we present the following article:

Iles L. The utility of postmortem radiological imaging in forensic neuropathology practice. Pathology. 2024

Nov 14:S0031-3025(24)00293-9. doi: 10.1016/j.pathol.2024.10.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39668072.

Available here: https://www.pathologyjournal.rcpa.edu.au/article/S0031-3025(24)00293-9/fulltext

The discussion focuses on the integratio...

In this episode of Beyond Death, hosts Mark and Lindsay welcome Poppy Mardall, founder of Poppy’s Funerals, a trailblazer in the funeral industry. Poppy shares her journey from a career in art to creating a compassionate, human centred approach to end-of-life care. She discusses the challenges of transforming an outdated and unregulated sector, her mission to provide outstanding care for the living and the deceased, and her dedicat...

As a first journal club discussion for the new year, we present the article:

Davendralingam N, Brookes AL, Shah MA, Shelmerdine SC.

Post-mortem CT service structures in non-suspicious death investigations.

BJR Open. 2024 Oct 29;6(1):tzae036. doi: 10.1093/bjro/tzae036.

Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11568351/

This article reviews various service structures for post-mortem CT (PMCT) scans used as a less in...

In this episode of Beyond Death, hosts Mark and Lindsay interview Julie Bramble, a former crime scene investigator and current forensic educator. With extensive experience in crime scene investigation and embalming, Julie shares her journey from the mortuary to crime scenes and the classroom. She provides insights into the realities of forensic work, the emotional challenges professionals face, and the importance of c...

In this episode of Beyond Death, hosts Mark and Lindsay speak with Amy-Lee Brookes, a dedicated radiographer specialising in forensic and post-mortem imaging. Amy discusses her transition from student radiographer to post-mortem CT lead and the challenges she faced building expertise in this niche field. She explores the future of forensic radiography, the importance of specialised training, and her passion for educat...

In this episode of Beyond Death, hosts Mark and Lindsay interview Dr. Fabrice Dedouit, a pioneering forensic radiologist and pathologist from the University of Paul Sabatier in Toulouse, France. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Dedouit shares his journey in establishing forensic imaging in France and the evolution of post-mortem CT and MRI techniques. He discusses the challenges and breakthroughs in applying i...

In this episode of Beyond Death, David returns and interviews Dr. Ciaran Hutchinson, a consultant paediatric and perinatal pathologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. With a PhD in minimally invasive autopsy, Dr. Hutchinson shares his unique experiences and insights into paediatric postmortem imaging and how this approach is reshaping parental consent and clinical practice. He discusses his research on micro-...

In this episode, Dr. Susie Shelmerdine takes over the mic to interview a very special guest - Dr. Padma Rao, a fellow children's imaging expert (paediatric radiologist) from The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.  Dr. Rao is the Medical Director at her institute, but also assists with reporting paediatric postmortem radiology with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM). She discusses how children's postmo...