Competencies and training requirements for reporting and interpretation of adult forensic post-mortem imaging: positional statement of ISFRI

Abstract

Background

There have been no internationally agreed protocols for training and competency of medical partitioners in postmortem imaging interpretation

There have been no internationally agreed protocols for training and competency of medical partitioners in postmortem imaging interpretation

Methods

Following a meeting in 2024 of NRGD in Utrecht where a group of local and international experts in postmortem imaging and the law discussed competencies and training requirements for the Netherlands, members of the ISFRI Education Working Group have produced a document outlining recommendations for international use

Following a meeting in 2024 of NRGD in Utrecht where a group of local and international experts in postmortem imaging and the law discussed competencies and training requirements for the Netherlands, members of the ISFRI Education Working Group have produced a document outlining recommendations for international use

Results

Summary of these recommendations:

1. In line with current clinical practice, “Forensic Imaging” or “Post-mortem Imaging” should be used to describe medicolegal or forensic use of imaging techniques

2. A forensic pathologist, radiologist, or forensic physician/legal medicine practitioner who meets training and competency requirements can report and interpret forensic imaging

3. There are two distinct levels of work focus, competency, and responsibility i.e. level 1 Reader and level 2 Interpreter

4. A level 1 practitioner can read images and produce a comprehensive and complete list of all forensically relevant findings

5. A level 2 practitioner can produce a list of forensically relevant findings and provide forensic interpretation of all or some of those findings

Summary of these recommendations:

1. In line with current clinical practice, “Forensic Imaging” or “Post-mortem Imaging” should be used to describe medicolegal or forensic use of imaging techniques

2. A forensic pathologist, radiologist, or forensic physician/legal medicine practitioner who meets training and competency requirements can report and interpret forensic imaging

3. There are two distinct levels of work focus, competency, and responsibility i.e. level 1 Reader and level 2 Interpreter

4. A level 1 practitioner can read images and produce a comprehensive and complete list of all forensically relevant findings

5. A level 2 practitioner can produce a list of forensically relevant findings and provide forensic interpretation of all or some of those findings

Conclusion

These recommendations are now published in Forensic Imaging and are non-binding but provide a framework that can be used by local jurisdictions when they are formulating local requirements for training and accreditation

These recommendations are now published in Forensic Imaging and are non-binding but provide a framework that can be used by local jurisdictions when they are formulating local requirements for training and accreditation