Charity Donates World-First AI System and CT Scanners to Advance Forensic Science in Taiwan

(CNA, Taipei, by Liu Shih-Yi) A charity's donation of NT$56 million has procured two high-end computed tomography (CT) scanners and a world-first "Smart Image Information AI System" for practical use at the central and southern regional forensic imaging centers of the Ministry of Justice's Institute of Forensic Medicine. A donation and activation ceremony was held today.

The Ministry of Justice held the "Donation and Activation Ceremony for Computed Tomography Scanners for the Central and Southern Forensic Imaging Centers" at its Historical Exhibition Hall today, co-hosted by Minister Cheng Ming-chien and Institute Director Hou Kuan-jen. Representatives from the Supreme Prosecutors Office, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, National Taiwan University's Institute of Forensic Medicine, and medical equipment suppliers were in attendance.

The Ministry stated that since 2023, it has been establishing forensic imaging centers in the northern, central, and southern regions, but some equipment has faced issues with aging and discontinuation of repair parts. The donation of two high-end CT scanners by the charity will be provided to the central and southern centers, respectively. The concurrently donated "Smart Image Information AI System" will enhance image interpretation capabilities through artificial intelligence and 3D reconstruction technology.

In his address, Minister Cheng Ming-chien stated that the Ministry has been promoting "Flexible Justice" and "Technology Justice" in recent years. He expressed hope that CT imaging will assist forensic examination and autopsy work to more accurately uncover the truth of cases while reducing invasive procedures on bodies. Through virtual autopsy technology, forensic specialists can first grasp the distribution of the deceased's injuries and internal abnormalities, upholding the dignity of the departed while meeting judicial needs.

Cheng noted that from the end of last year to May 31 of this year, forensic imaging centers across Taiwan completed a total of 1,568 scan cases, of which 977 did not require further autopsy, accounting for 62.31%. This shows that imaging technology has become a crucial auxiliary tool in judicial examinations.

The Ministry said the newly introduced AI system is the world's first application in the forensic imaging field. It can reconstruct CT scan images in 3D and color models, providing more spatial and intuitive visual information. In the future, a remote transmission mechanism will be used to send scans completed by the forensic imaging centers to a professional team at National Taiwan University's Institute of Forensic Medicine for interpretation, assisting in forensic鑑定 and report production.

Dr. Weng Te-i, Director of NTU's Institute of Forensic Medicine, said that post-mortem computed tomography is gradually becoming an important tool for cause-of-death investigations internationally. It not only helps to identify injuries that are difficult to discern externally but also contributes to the early discovery of criminal clues. In one past case, a scan revealed multiple new and old injuries and ruptured organs in the deceased, which led to the uncovering of a long-term fatal assault, demonstrating the importance of technology in assisting truth-seeking.

The Ministry stated that with the upgrade of high-end CT equipment and the launch of the AI system in the central and southern regions, the domestic forensic imaging network has completed its layout across the north, central, and south. In the future, it will continue to integrate technology and professional resources to enhance the quality of forensic science and create a forensic system that combines science, efficiency, and humane care. (Editor: Lee Heng-shan)