Forensic Radiography and Post Mortem Imaging

• Assisting in determining the cause of suspicious deaths
• Providing evidence in cases including
  • suspected homicide
  • assault
  • road traffic accidents
  • suspected physical abuse (SPA) of vulnerable individuals, such as the young, elderly and disabled
  • narcotic packing detection
• Demonstrating anatomical structures, trauma and pathological conditions which can be used to help identify unknown individuals.
• Using imaging to locate and identify personal artefacts.
• Investigation of genocide and torture
• Archaeological investigations

• IAFR was launched in June 2005
• Formally recognised as the lead body in forensic imaging by:
  • the International Society of Forensic Radiology and Imaging (ISFRI),
  • the International Society of Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists (ISRRT)
• UK branch are advisors and the Special Interest Group for the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR)
• The IAFR and UK branch
  • Promote awareness of forensic radiography and related issues
  • Provide training and education in the forensic field
  • Are the contact point for initiation of a response in the event of a mass fatality incident
  • Provide advice and resources on forensic and PM imaging for individuals and organisations
  • Provide health and safety advice in the planning and operation of forensic and PM imaging facilities, including risk assessments, radiation protection, occupational health and safety, as well as manual handling issues. This applies to permanent and temporary facilities
  • Help develop and review guidelines for evidence-based practice in forensic radiography
  • Promote inter-professional and multi-organisational liaison and communication.

IAFR provides education and practical training for radiographers and other professionals interested in forensic and PM imaging. IAFR hosts numerous study events throughout the year, both in the UK and internationally. All international events are advertised on the IAFR website, Facebook (@IAFRorg), and X (@IAFRorg) - and UK branch events on social media

Forensic radiographers may:

• Have an interest in PM, forensic imaging or both
• Work part time in forensic and PM imaging
• Work in the NHS or Independent sector organisations.
• Provide ad hoc services for forensic investigators, using clinical equipment out of hours.
• Work full-time, often using imaging equipment specifically for forensic and PM imagin

Forensic radiographers have:

• Been involved in disaster victim identification (DVI (mass fatality incidents)) on both a national and international level.
• In the United Kingdom,
  • The Grenfell Tower fire
  • Manchester Arena attack
  • Shoreham air crash
  • London bombings
  • The Selby rail crash
  • Lockerbie air disaster.
• International deployments include:
  • Bosnia
  • Kosovo
  • Croatia
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Sierra Leone
  • Sri Lanka
  • India
  • The Netherlands.

Radiographers who perform forensic and PM imaging should undertake Master’s level post-registration education and training relevant to their forensic radiography scope of practice.

All staff involved should undergo specific training, education and ongoing CPD to ensure a thorough knowledge of legislation and regulations appropriate to the role.

This should include but not be limited to:

• Attendance at multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings relevant to forensic and PM imaging
• Participation in audit, service and quality improvement activities
• Appropriate imaging techniques to meet the requirements of radiography for forensic purposes
• Specialist modality imaging, such as paediatric SPA radiography
• Anatomy and common pathologies seen in SPA, forensic and non-suspicious deaths
• Medico-legal issues relating to the admissibility of evidence
• National and local health and safety regulations, particularly with regard to the handling of deceased subjects
• Different cultural and religious sensitivities associated with the deceased and their relatives
• Appropriate communication skills for dealing with subjects who have undergone a traumatic experience
• Statutory legislation, government, professional and local guidelines related to radiography for forensic purposes
• Knowledge of raising concerns, especially for their department
• Mandatory training in safeguarding to at least level 2, and at least level 3 where involved full time or significantly within paediatric radiography or SPA

• SoR special interest group webpage
• Standards of conduct, performance and ethics HCPC (2016)
• Code of Professional Conduct 2025 SoR 2025
• Education and Career Framework,CoR (2022)
• Standards of proficiency – Radiographers, HCPC (2023)
• Codes of Practice Human Tissue Authority (HTA) (2017–2021), for those working in England and Wales
• Standards for mortuary services Scottish Government (2022), and the legislation and guidance specific to Scotland for those working in Scotland
• IAFR Guidelines for best practice: Principles for radiographers and imaging practitioners providing forensic imaging services, Doyle et al (2020)
• Guidelines for post-mortem cross-sectional imaging in adults for non-forensic deaths, The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) and The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) (2021)
• The radiological investigation of suspected physical abuse in children, the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) and The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) (2018), for those working with children