This is a summary report on the proceedings of the 2016 International Forensic Radiology Research Summit held on May 10-11, 2016, to identify gaps, challenges, and research needs, followed by the development of a plan to address the obstacles to implementing advanced imaging technologies in medicolegal investigations.
The meeting was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice of the Netherlands, the International Society for Forensic Radiology and Imaging (ISFRI), and the International Association of Forensic Radiographers (IAFR), and NIJ’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE). The meeting was held at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam and was attended by 40 international subject-matter experts in forensic radiology, including researchers, practitioners, government employees, and professional staff from 14 countries. During the 2-day summit, representatives focused on overall objectives and outcomes for the meeting, the current landscape of forensic medicine technologies, forensic radiology research projects and funding opportunities, and challenges and possible research priorities. Participants shared experiences from their countries and began an international dialogue that addressed the current state of forensic imaging technologies, implementation barriers, research needs and priorities, and possible future opportunities for collaboration. Facilitated discussions and breakout discussion groups furthered the academic and evidence-based practice dialogue. 3 figures and 1 table