Forensic Imaging Market

Global Forensic Imaging Market Forecast

The Forensic Imaging Market is expected to grow from USD 104.3 million in 2026 to USD 209.8 million by 2033, reflecting strong industry expansion and registering a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2033.

Rising Demand for Virtual Autopsy to Augur Well for the Forensic Imaging Market

Virtual autopsy gained significant traction on the back of growing inclination towards less and minimally invasive procedures coupled with pressure from religious beliefs. The fact that the certain communities across the world have not been in favour of conventional autopsy, which has led to an increased acceptability of virtual autopsy, which paved new pathways of growth for tools such as forensic imaging. In addition, apart from being non-invasive, virtual autopsy can be considered as a suitable alternative to conventional autopsy owing to its ability to provide quick results and conclusions with optimum clarity. Photo evidence by using conventional autopsy can be gruesome or disturbing for lay viewers along with judiciaries, in turn resulting in non-acceptability of the images in court proceedings. In such situations, images that are 3D constructed can be developed with necessary markings by leveraging novel imaging technologies. These images can be more palatable to judges. This factor continues to remain instrumental in driving growth of the forensic imaging market.

Use of Virtual Autopsy in Death Investigations and Clinical Studies to Bolster Market Growth

Use of forensic imaging in investigating unnatural deaths is likely to provide an impetus to market growth. Since the recent past, number of unnatural deaths occurring due to homicides, accidental trauma and suicides has been on the rise. For instance, according to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), number deaths due to all types of homicides were around 24,576 in 2020, off which, gun-related homicides increased by 35%. Likewise, according to UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), number of homicides increased significantly. As per European Union’s statistical office – Eurostat – the rate of intentional homicides in the region surged by 3.5% in 2020. Moreover, demand from courts for compelling evidence portraying precise causes of death in cases which are void of eyewitnesses has triggered use of virtual autopsy, in turn complementing growth of the forensic imaging market.

Likewise, use of forensic imaging in several clinical studies is another factor fuelling market growth. Rising count of voluntary body donors to support anatomical studies coupled with increasing outbursts of new chronic diseases is expected to contribute towards value growth of the forensic imaging market. For instance, conventional autopsy of novel corona virus deceased individual can pose infection risks. However, since the need for autopsy of such deceased individuals is essential to gain view of the pathophysiology of the disease, it becomes imperative to adopt new methods such a forensic imaging. Thus, in such situations, tools such as radiological imaging can eliminate the risk of infections alongside carrying out virtual autopsy of the corpse. This led to an increase in demand for virtual autopsy tools such as forensic imaging on the global front.  

X-ray to Significantly Contribute Towards Value Growth of the Market

Forensic imaging can be carried out by using different modalities such as XA-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, and MRIs. Off these, the demand for X-ray in forensic imaging is expected to witness a spike in the coming years. In forensics, use of X-ray scans has increased in cases such as air embolism, gun shots and deaths due to vehicle collisions. X-ray is also a commonly used technique in forensic medicine. Its ability to display and locate foreign particles in human body with high precision and support in detecting several pathological and traumatic changes has accelerated its need in forensics. This aspect is likely to favour forensic imaging market by contributing towards value growth.

North America Expected to Cement Dominance

Developed nations in North America are likely to showcase dominance in the forensic imaging market. Increasing cases of unnatural deaths has been one of the major contributors triggering demand for forensic imaging techniques. For instance, according to FBI, in 2021, murder rate increased significantly to touch around 7 homicides per 100,000 individuals. Moreover, there has been a rising demand for pathologists in countries such as US and Canada in autopsy examination centres to cope with rising workload. This necessitated use of tools backed by advanced technologies, in turn fuelling adoption of forensic imaging tools.

Forensic Imaging Market: Competitive Landscape

• Canon Medical Systems Corporation
• Bruker
• Neusoft Corporation
• Shimadzu Corporation
• FUJIFILM
• Hitachi, Ltd.
• Toshiba Medical Systems, Inc.
• GE Healthcare
• Siemens Healthineers

The Global Forensic Imaging Market is Segmented as Below:

Modality Outlook

• X-ray
• CT
• Ultrasound
• MRI

End-use Outlook

• Forensic Institutes
• Hospitals
• Others

Application Outlook

• Death Investigations
• Clinical studies

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa