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About

Steffen Ross is a pioneering figure in forensic imaging and virtual autopsy, whose work has reshaped how postmortem investigations are conducted. His research centers on the development of minimally invasive, imaging-guided autopsy techniques—often termed "virtopsy"—which integrate diagnostic imaging, robotics, and telemedicine to modernize forensic pathology. Ross’s most notable contribution is the creation of the Virtobot system, a multi-functional robotic platform for 3D surface scanning and automatic postmortem biopsy, detailed in his highly cited 2009 paper (78 citations). This innovation enables precise, reproducible tissue sampling without full conventional dissection. He also leads the paediatric virtual autopsy trial, which explores postmortem MRI as a non-invasive alternative in fetal, newborn, and infant cases, addressing declining autopsy rates (38 citations). Additionally, his work on minimally invasive telebiopsy (18 citations) introduces a secure, low-cost approach for remote tissue sampling, expanding access to forensic expertise. With over 130 citations across his key publications, Ross has established himself as a transformative force in forensic science, bridging engineering and medicine to create more humane, efficient, and accurate death investigations.