Latest news:

Bottle stabbings - the engineer's view

Engineers at the University of Leicester have for the first time created a way of measuring how much force is used during a stabbing using a broken bottle.  The advance is expected to have significant implications for legal forensics.
A team from the University has conducted a systematic study of the force applied during a stabbing and come up with the first set of penetration force data for broken glass bottles. Full Text

New non-surgical autopsy technique set to revolutionise post-mortem practice 

Forensic scientists at Leicester have made a breakthrough that could change the future of post-mortem procedures. Post-mortem using a CT scanner
Their new technique for diagnosing cardiac related death has the potential to revolutionise the way post-mortems are conducted around the world. Read more...

MBE awarded to Prof Guy Rutty in Queens Birthday Honours List 2010

Professor Guy Rutty, the Head of the Forensic Pathology Unit has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to the Police. More information, including an interview with Prof Rutty can be found on the University Newsblog and on the offical Univeristy annoncement.

The Hospital Autopsy, 3rd Edition. Edited by Dr Julian L Burton & Prof Guy N Rutty

Coming soon...

The autopsy is a central component of postgraduate training in pathology and remains an important part of medical practice today. Pathologists are now expected to possess a higher level of knowledge and understanding of the autopsy, the law surrounding it, and its clinical value, in an increasingly scrutinised and legislated environment. Autopsy practice can no longer be viewed in the absence of external contextual issues: it is vital that Pathologists have solid grounding not only in standard technique, but also in such matters as personal health and safety to obtaining informed family consent, before undertaking an autopsy procedure.

This new and revised edition of The Hospital Autopsy presents a clear and systematic approach to safe and effective modern autopsy practice. Like the extremely popular second edition, it begins by discussing issues of consent and mortuary design before going on to comprehensively cover external examination, evisceration, and dissection of internal organs. In this edition, new chapters have been added on the radiological autopsy, religious attitudes to autopsy and the implications of high-risk infections for autopsy practice. Specialist techniques are covered in depth, and chapters are devoted to complex issues including perinatal autopsies, maternal deaths and neuropathological examinations.

The Hospital Autopsy, Third edition is sure to be an indispensable resource for pathologists in training, as well as a useful refresher for practicing pathologists and autopsy technicians.

Awards:

Professor Guy Rutty has been awarded a commendation for his work in the organisation of Operarion Torch. This award was presented to Prof Rutty at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea by the Assistant Comissioner of the Metropollitan Police.

The Universal Biopsy Tool, concieved and developed by Professor Guy Rutty, Dr Eleanor Graham and Mr Jim Strupish to allow rapid and safe collection of soft tissue samples for identification of the deceased, has been recognised as Highly Commended at the 2008 Da Vinci Health Technology Awards. This category is specifically for the development of an innovative technology that demonstrates both a step change and significant commercial potential. It was a highly competitive category with our innovation being chosen for this commendation from 50 applications. A poster describing the development of this invention is available here. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/business/luel/davinci-net/awards08_results.html 

In 2004 the short film entitled "Speaking for the Dead" was awarded the Wellcome Trust Award at the 2004 Learning on Screen conference. This 10 minute film showing the work of a Home Office Forensic Pathologist was created by Professor Guy Rutty and University of Leicester Audio Visual Services to be shown at his inaugral lecture deliverd in 2003.