Beyond Death by Anubix®

This month, we present the following article:

Woliński F, Sado J, Kraśnik K, et al. Fatal Free Falls: A Clinical and Forensic Analysis of Skeletal Injury Patterns Using PMCT and Autopsy.

Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14:7912. doi:10.3390/jcm14227912.

This study examines skeletal injury patterns in fatal free falls using post-mortem CT alongside autopsy, highlighting how fracture distribution varies with fall height, kinetic en...

This episode, hosts Mark Viner and Lindsay Batty-Smith sit down with Katherine Bryan-Merrett, a portrait and mural artist whose evocative work delves into grief, memory, and the emotional resonance of those we’ve lost. From posthumous portraits to coffin painting, Kat shares how art can become a vital, healing space for families navigating bereavement and the complexities of death.

Kat is working with Anubix Ltd and you can find ...

This month, we present the following article:

Simon G, Tóth D, Heckmann V, Poór VS. The use of 3D-printed replicas of homicide weapons during autopsy.

International Journal of Legal Medicine. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-025-03691-z.

This case series explores how 3D-printed replicas of sharp and blunt weapons can be safely used during autopsy to reconstruct wound direction, force, and mechanism. Through real homicide cases,...

Global burden of 292 causes of death in 204 countries and territories and 660 subnational locations, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet. 2025 Oct 18;406(10513):1811-1872. 

This global analysis estimates cause-specific mortality for 292 causes across 204 countries (plus 660 subnational locations) from 1990–2023, adding two policy-useful metrics—probability of death before age 70 (7...

This episode, Anubix co-founders Dr Susie Shelmerdine and Dr Natasha Davendralingam talk about the Death Cafe - a place where people connect, and share their views, thoughts and experiences about death - an often taboo topic. We talk about the importance of open and frank conversation, how we welcome different perspectives and points of view and how to get involved in Death Cafe meet ups and other wellbeing offerings from Anubix Lt...

This episode, Anubix co-founders Dr Susie Shelmerdine and Dr Natasha Davendralingam talk about a unique and innovative service - The After-Life Imaging Clinic. This is a place for the bereaved to talk to a radiologist about their relative / loved one's postmortem imaging, have someone explain what the cause of death means and ask the questions they've always wanted to ask but have no idea who to turn to.

If you'd like to find out...

Vanhaebost J, Scholzen T, Coche E, Grabherr S. Postmortem CT Angiography of Fetuses, Infants and Children up to 12 Years Old: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Decision Tree. International Journal of Legal Medicine. 2025. doi: 10.1007/s00414-025-03556-5.

This systematic review explores the current landscape of postmortem CT angiography (PMCTA) in young decedents, highlighting significant variability in technique and the absence of...

This episode, hosts Mark Viner and Lindsay Batty-Smith explore the often-overlooked world of estate planning through the eyes of James Emsley, founder of ELM Legal Services. From his personal journey growing up in care to building a leading UK estate planning firm, Emsley offers candid insights into wills, probate, and why so many families fall into turmoil without clear legal preparation.

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Jim Emsley is the award-winning ...

This month, we present the following article:

Fragkou, K.; Ketsekioulafis, I.; Tousia, A.; Piagkou, M.; Bacopoulou, F.; Ferentinos, P.; Peyron, P.-A.; Baccino, E.; Martrille, L.; Papadodima, S. From Fragile Lives to Forensic Truth: Multimodal Forensic Approaches to Pediatric Homicide and Suspect Death. Diagnostics 2025, 15, 1383. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15111383

In this episode we delve into...

In this episode hosts Mark and Lindsay have a wide-ranging conversation with Professor Jason Payne-James where they explore his career in forensic and legal medicine, from his early surgical training to his pivotal role as a medical examiner. He discusses the importance of post-mortem CT, tackling miscarriages of justice, and the emotional and ethical challenges of working in the "death space."

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Jason Payne-James is a  Speci...

This month, we present the following article:

Alafer F. Emerging Imaging Technologies in Forensic Medicine: A Systematic Review of Innovations, Ethical Challenges, and Future Directions. Diagnostics. 2025;15(11):1410. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15111410.

This systematic review explores how cutting-edge imaging modalities—such as virtual autopsies and AI-powered diagnostics—are reshaping forensic medicine. While offering greater precis...

In this episode of Beyond Death, host Dr Susie Shelmerdine speaks with Jessica Eaton, a children’s radiographer and PhD researcher, about the hidden world of forensic imaging in living children. Jess shares her experiences balancing paediatric radiography with complex safeguarding cases, the emotional toll on staff, and her pioneering research into how caregivers and radiographers experience this delicate and often overlooked proce...

This month, we present the following article:

Mittendorf AF et al. Fatal and nonfatal sharp force injuries to the limbs: a study of forensic autopsies in Sweden (2010-2019) International Journal of Legal Medicine 2025. doi:10.1007/s00414-025-03554-7

This study analysed over 800 forensic autopsy cases involving sharp force trauma to the arms and legs. The research sheds light on how injury patterns and severity—particularly in the f...

In this episode of Beyond Death, hosts Mark and Lindsay talk with Dr. Athanasia "Nancy" Vargiamidou, consultant histopathologist, about her lifelong dedication to pathology and post-mortem medicine. Nancy shares her journey from medical student to specialist in autopsy services, reflecting on the critical balance between scientific rigor and empathetic care when uncovering causes of death.

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Athanasia Vargiamidou Biography

I gra...

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...