Artificial Intelligence in Forensic Neuropathology: A Comprehensive Review

Strategic Insights -

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in forensic neuropathology, enabling accurate diagnoses and aiding in post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) assessments of cause of death. A systematic review by researchers at the University of Rome Tor Vergata highlights the key advances in AI's role in forensic neuropathology, particularly machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques. These tools have demonstrated promising results in investigating cerebral pathology, providing valuable diagnostic assistance in traumatic brain injury (TBI), epilepsy, and SUDEP cases.

Key Takeaways:

  • The review systematically analyzed 34 articles on AI applications in forensic neuropathology, categorizing them into two groups: traumatic brain injury and epilepsy/SUDEP cases.
  • AI techniques, including ML and DL, showed significant potential in interpreting histopathological data, instrumental data, and brain disorders in forensic investigations.
  • The application of AI in forensic neuropathology has been employed to investigate cerebral pathology, providing a valuable computer-assisted diagnostic tool to aid in PMCT assessments of cause of death and histopathological analyses.
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and epilepsy/SUDEP cases were the primary conditions studied using AI techniques in forensic neuropathology.
  • The research highlighted the importance of AI in supporting professional diagnostics in forensic neuropathology, especially in cases of cerebral pathology.
  • Machine learning and deep learning were identified as crucial AI techniques in forensic neuropathology, enabling accurate diagnoses and aiding in PMCT assessments.

Statistics:

  • 34 articles were analyzed in the systematic review regarding AI applications in forensic neuropathology.
  • 20 articles focused on traumatic brain injury (TBI), including intracranial hemorrhage or cerebral microbleeds.
  • 14 articles focused on epilepsy and SUDEP cases, including brain disorders and central nervous system neoplasms capable of inducing seizure activity.

Sources:

  • Artificial intelligence in forensic neuropathology: A systematic review. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 2025;115:102944. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine - www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-forensic-and-legal-medicine/)
  • University of Rome Tor Vergata, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention.