Launch Of New Non-Invasive System ‘Fantastic’ For City

Lawyers representing people who have lost loved ones in a range of circumstances have welcomed the launch of the UK’s first dedicated digital autopsy centre in Sheffield, describing it as a vital step forward for both the city and the wider community.

The new £3 million centre, which opened in Sheffield’s public mortuary this week, uses non-invasive three-dimensional visualisation software created by Malaysian company iGene and a scanner to perform post mortems.

It is hoped that the new process – which reportedly takes just over three minutes to scan a 3D representation of a body – will make autopsies not only quicker but less stressful for families, particularly who want a body released for burial or cremation.

The new facility is the first of 18 new specialist centres which are set to open across the UK in the coming months and its opening has been welcomed by legal specialists based at the Sheffield office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell.

Expert Opinion

It is fantastic to see Sheffield at the forefront of the technological developments being seen in this area and we know this is going to make huge difference to so many people when they go through the heartache of losing a loved one.

"Through our work representing people who have lost relatives in numerous tragic circumstances including road traffic collisions, clinical negligence and work-related incidents, we see first-hand the hugely difficult grieving process that families and friends go through.

"While nothing will take away the pain of losing someone, it will at least be respite to many that their loved ones will face a non-invasive and quick examination when it comes to the post mortem process.

"This is great news for Sheffield and we hope that similar facilities, expected to launch across the UK, can be opened as soon as possible so more people can make use of this technological advancement." Adrian Budgen - Partner