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 more about the After Life Imaging Clinic please check out: https://www.anubix.co.uk/clinic 

Or email: [email protected] to discuss your personal situation.

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 standardized protocols. A conceptual decision tree is proposed to guide practitioners in tailoring PMCTA based on age and anatomical considerations, with implications for improving forensic and clinical investigations.

NB. Each episode is AI-generated using Google Notebook LM. The article(s) and sources are chosen by Drs. Susan Shelmerdine & Natasha Davendralingam based on quality of research, audience interest, and importance of the topic.

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 Founder of ELM Legal Services, a Bristol-based estate planning firm now celebrating its 25th year. With over 45,000 clients nationwide and generating more than £1 million annually, Jim has built ELM into a leading name in will-writing and probate, known for making estate planning clear, accessible, and stress-free for families across the UK.

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 the complexities of investigating child homicides, where distinguishing between natural, accidental, and intentional deaths is particularly challenging. The review highlights how combining traditional autopsy with cutting-edge tools—like postmortem imaging, molecular autopsy, and toxicology—can improve diagnostic accuracy, guide legal outcomes, and help prevent future tragedies.

NB. Each episode is AI-generated using Google Notebook LM. The article(s) and sources are chosen by Drs. Susan Shelmerdine & Natasha Davendralingam based on quality of research, audience interest, and importance of the topic.

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  Specialist in Forensic & Legal Medicine and a Consultant Forensic Physician. Interests are broad-ranging include documentation and interpretation of injury; evidential sampling;  wound and scar interpretation; complaints against healthcare professionals; sexual assault; non-accidental injury; intimate partner violence; non-fatal strangulation;  restraint and less-lethal systems; miscarriages of justice; healthcare in detention; cause of death; death investigation; medical negligence; death and harm in custody; substance use; human rights abuses and torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

He is Honorary Clinical Professor, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London; Chair of the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal weapons (SACMILL); member of the Specialist Advisory Committee of the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board on forensic & legal medicine; President of the European Council of Legal & Forensic Medicine. He is director of Forensic Healthcare Services Ltd.

He is past-President of the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine  and past-President of the International Association of Clinical Forensic Medicine. He was founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Forensic & Legal Medicine. He was  Lead Medical Examiner at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals University NHS Trust.

He has co-authored or co-edited (amongst others) the Encyclopedia of Forensic & Legal Medicine (1st, 2nd and 3rd editions); the 13th, 14th and 15th editions of Simpson’s Forensic Medicine, Current Practice in Forensic Medicine (1st, 2nd  and 3rd editions); The Medical Examiner System in England & Wales: A Practical Guide; Symptoms & Signs of Substance Use (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th editions) and Forensic & Legal Medicine: Clinical & Pathological Aspects. His medicolegal practice extends across the UK and internationally.

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 precision and cultural sensitivity, these technologies raise complex ethical, financial, and operational challenges that must be addressed to ensure global adoption.

NB. Each episode is AI-generated using Google Notebook LM. The article(s) and sources are chosen by Drs. Susan Shelmerdine & Natasha Davendralingam based on quality of research, audience interest, and importance of the topic.

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 process.

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Jessica Eaton is a specialist paediatric radiographer with over 10 years of hands-on experience in clinical imaging. She’s currently pursuing a PhD funded by the National Institute for Health Research, where she’s exploring how forensic imaging can be improved to better support caregivers and the radiographers who care for them.

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 forearms and wrists—can help distinguish suicides from homicides, and how factors like intoxication and age play a role in understanding these deaths.

NB. Each episode is AI-generated using Google Notebook LM. The article(s) and sources are chosen by Drs. Susan Shelmerdine & Natasha Davendralingam based on quality of research, audience interest, and importance of the topic.

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 graduated with a medical degree from King’s College London in 2009, having previously obtained a Bachelor of Science in Experimental Pathology from Queen Mary University of London in 2005. My specialty training in histopathology commenced at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and was completed at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London. In 2017, I obtained the Certificate of Higher Autopsy Training and hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Medical Sciences awarded by the Academy of Forensic Medical Sciences, as well as a Leadership and Management qualification in the Medical Field from Keele University.

Since 2017, I have been practicing as a Consultant Histopathologist specialising in breast pathology, urological pathology, and autopsy pathology. From 2017 to 2023, I was employed at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where I served as the Clinical Lead for the Mortuary and the Designated Individual for the Human Tissue Authority (post-mortem sector).

In 2023, I joined University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a Consultant Histopathologist. I currently hold the roles of Clinical Governance Lead for Cellular Pathology, Deputy Designated Individual for the Human Tissue Authority (post-mortem sector), and Deputy Clinical Safety Lead for Digital Pathology.

I have conducted autopsies throughout my training and continue to do so in my consultant roles. I am presently engaged as an autopsy pathologist for Anubix, the Inner West London Coroner, and the North London Coroner.

This month, we present the following article:

A study of the added value of combining PMCT and PMMR of the head.

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 PMCT enhances lesion detection, particularly in soft tissue structures, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy in determining causes of death.

NB. Each episode is AI-generated using Google Notebook LM. The article(s) and sources are chosen by Drs. Susan Shelmerdine & Natasha Davendralingam based on quality of research, audience interest, and importance of the topic.