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 vital for both forensic investigations and bereaved families seeking answers.

This month, we present the following article:

De-Giorgio F, Benedetti B, Mancino M, Sala E, Pascali VL. Post-Mortem Imaging Biobanks: Building Data for Reproducibility, Standardization, and AI Integration. European Journal of Radiology. 2025;185:112011. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2025.112011.

The discussion explores the role of post-mortem imaging biobanks in forensic and clinical research, emphasising their potential for standardising imaging protocols, supporting AI-driven analysis, and improving the reproducibility of forensic investigations. The article highlights key challenges, including ethical considerations, data storage limitations, and the need for global collaboration in developing accessible and secure imaging databases.

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, Dr. Natasha Davendralingham sits down with Professor Susie Shelmerdine, academic radiologist, AI thought leader, and co-founder of Anubix. Susie shares her journey into post-mortem imaging, how a personal experience shaped her career, and the creation of the world’s first post-mortem imaging education platform. She also discusses the evolving role of AI in death care, the misconceptions around post-mortem imaging, and why open conversations about death are so important.