From now on, Greek forensic pathologists will conduct autopsies using a tablet, voice-to-text descriptions, and automatic drafting of forensic reports with the help of a digital assistant. The high-profile Mourtzoukos and Pispirigou cases, and the findings related to the Patras Forensic Service, have prompted the Ministry of Justice to take immediate steps toward a radical overhaul of the country’s forensic services.

Delays in completing forensic reports were reportedly up to three years — a situation that in some cases led to acquittals in court. The absence of any standardized mandatory content and outdated practices in terms of technological use during forensic procedures contributed to a poor image of the service.

In response, the Ministry has, over the past two years, begun a major reform aligned with international standards and technological advancements, while also conducting disciplinary investigations (2024–2025) into forensic doctors accused of serious misconduct — resulting in disciplinary penalties. It is noted that recently, the Patras Forensic Service was suspended, four forensic doctors are currently on potential leave (three of whom handled the Pispirigou case), three have been disciplined (including a one-year suspension, fines, and formal reprimands), and two others are under pending investigation.

Digital Autopsies and Artificial Intelligence – How the System Will Work

In a few months, Greek forensic doctors will have access to an Information System combining advanced computer technologies and Artificial Intelligence. According to the Ministry of Justice, this digital assistant will support forensic procedures and greatly accelerate their work — contributing to faster and more effective justice.

This innovation, considered significant on a global scale, is being developed by the University of Piraeus and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

As shown in the video, the Information System, installed on a tablet, will capture images of the body during the autopsy. At the same time, the pathologist will use voice commands to describe observations aloud.

The system will then cross-reference the voice and image data with forensic databases and, using AI, automatically draft a preliminary forensic report. It will logically correlate the findings to provide an initial assessment of the cause of death and conclusions based on the entered visual and descriptive data — offering the forensic doctor a science-based initial hypothesis.

Afterward, the doctor can edit the automatically generated report to add or modify content, should their scientific judgment differ from the system’s conclusions.

This approach is expected to significantly reduce the risk of misjudgment, and sharply decrease the time required for producing a complete and scientifically sound forensic report.

Reforms in Forensic Services

Beyond disciplinary actions already taken, over the past two years of reform, the Ministry of Justice has:

• Hired 32 new forensic pathologists.
• Changed the hiring process for morgue staff to remove bureaucratic delays.
• Reorganized the country’s forensic services into a Public Service structure, now under the newly established General Directorate of Forensic Services at the Ministry.

A minimum mandatory content requirement for forensic reports was defined, and a Three-Member Committee was created to re-evaluate forensic reports. The Committee can act upon a prosecutor’s order or upon citizen requests when there are concerns about the integrity of a report.

Additionally:

• A Code of Ethics and Protocols for forensic practices is under development.
• Toxicology laboratories were established in Piraeus and Patras.
• Plans are underway for new morgues in Athens and Thessaloniki (2025).
• Provisions have been made for the burial of dozens of unclaimed bodies stored for over three years in Athens’ morgue at Schisto cemetery, as well as unclaimed remains in other parts of the country.