Post-Mortem CT: How Radiology Is Rewriting the Autopsy

05/01/25 • 12 min

In this episode of Frame by Frame: Rethink Imaging, host Chris St. John is joined by Dr. Kalpana Kanal, Diagnostic Medical Physics Trustee at the American Board of Radiology and professor at the University of Washington, to discuss how CT scanning is transforming the field of forensic pathology.
Dr. Kanal highlights her pioneering work developing a forensic CT program that can eliminate the need for traditional autopsies in nearly 50% of cases. From our first episode with her, she explains how CT imaging offers a non-invasive, culturally sensitive alternative to conventional post-mortem procedures—helping address the growing shortage of forensic pathologists while improving diagnostic accuracy.
Beyond her innovations in forensics, Dr. Kanal also highlights the unique imaging protocols and physiological considerations required in post-mortem scans, the global trends in forensic CT adoption, and the collaborative work between radiologists and forensic pathologists.
This episode is a must-listen for medical imaging professionals, pathologists, and educators interested in how imaging continues to push the boundaries of medicine, investigation, and care for the deceased.
Frame by Frame: Rethink Imaging Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Previous Episode

Could Our Obsession with Dose Be Risking Lives?

In this illuminating episode of Frame by Frame, host Chris St John continues his in-depth conversation with Dr. Ehsan Samei to explore how we define and measure quality in medical imaging. Dr. Samei emphasizes that radiation dose, while important, tells only part of the story. Instead, quality should be viewed through a multi-dimensional lens that includes task-based performance, image clarity, contrast, and diagnostic relevance.
Drawing on examples like breast and lung cancer screening, Dr. Samei shows how imaging can improve outcomes when guided by validated metrics and clinical collaboration. He also highlights the challenges of creating standardized measurements that can be applied across institutions, stressing the importance of stakeholder involvement—from physicists to clinicians and regulatory bodies.
Whether you're navigating imaging guidelines, optimizing protocols, or advocating for patient-centered care, this episode delivers the tools to help you rethink what makes imaging truly valuable.
Chapters:

[00:00] Intro: Understanding Medical Imaging Benefits[01:49] Measurands vs Measurements: The Science of Quantification[07:15] Beyond Radiation Dose: Why Single Metrics Can Mislead[12:30] Validating Quality Measurements in Radiology[19:24] The Importance of Personalized Imaging Approaches[22:47] Task-Based Performance in Medical Imaging[29:05] Designing Studies to Prove Imaging's Value[32:53] The Real Impact: Mammography Success Story[36:24] Closing Thoughts: Balancing Benefits and Risks
Frame by Frame: Rethink Imaging Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Next Episode

Why Gonadal Shielding in X-rays Actually Increases Radiation Dose

In this episode of Frame by Frame: Rethink Imaging, host Chris St. John is joined by Dr. Summer Kaplan, Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology at the University of Pennsylvania and pediatric radiologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, to examine a major shift in radiation safety protocols—why gonadal shielding is being reconsidered in modern radiology.Dr. Kaplan discusses the findings of groundbreaking research showing how traditional shielding can actually increase patient radiation exposure due to interactions with automatic exposure controls in advanced imaging systems. Together, they explore how modern equipment, data-driven protocols, and AI have revolutionized imaging safety, and what this means for radiology professionals and patients alike.This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in diagnostic imaging, medical physics, or patient safety, offering a forward-thinking perspective on how to communicate, implement, and trust in evolving best practices in radiation protection.
What You’ll Learn:

Why gonadal shielding may increase radiation exposure with today’s imaging systems
How automatic exposure controls respond to shielding—and the unintended consequences
The science behind moving away from routine gonadal protection in X-rays
How to educate patients and families about updated radiation safety protocols
The role of organ sensitivity in radiation risk assessment
Advances in imaging technology and AI that reduce exposure without the need for shielding
Why pediatric imaging requires unique safety considerations
How professional guidelines and institutional policies are changing nationwide

Chapters:

[00:00] Intro & Welcome[01:38] Origins of the Gonadal Shielding Research[04:13] How Modern X-ray Sensors Changed Radiation Protection[06:20] Understanding Radiation Sensitivity in Different Organs[14:25] Why Staff Need Protection But Patients Don't[17:05] Pediatric Radiation Safety: Lower Doses for Smaller Bodies[22:37] Implementing Change in Radiology Departments[24:34] Future Technologies in Radiation Protection[28:03] Modern Understanding of Radiation Risk[31:16] Key Takeaways: Evolving Beyond Traditional Practices
Frame by Frame: Rethink Imaging Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so