Robots, Death, and Medicolegal Death Investigation

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2026 May 27. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000001144. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We share our experience with robot-related deaths and death scenes, as well as the impact they might have on the practice of forensic pathology. We present 4 case reports from medicolegal practice in which advanced robotic systems were involved. Robotic systems assisted in ensuring scene safety, assessing for ongoing threats, and interacting with decedents or weapons in all 4 cases: (1) A bomb-disposal robot was used to secure a suicide scene involving potential explosive hazards. (2) Drones provided outdoor surveillance and indoor reconnaissance during a homicide-suicide investigation. (3) A robot confirmed a death and removed a firearm from the deceased, causing weapon discharge during manipulation. (4) A robot equipped with explosives was deployed by law enforcement to neutralize an active shooter. As robotics expands across consumer, commercial, and government sectors, forensic pathologists will increasingly encounter deaths involving remotely operated, semi-autonomous, or autonomous systems. Many forensic pathologists’ first experience involved using robots to secure the scene of a death. In the future, we can expect to see accidental deaths caused by robots and criminal homicides. These situations may involve jurisdictional disputes and will require specialized investigations. Robotic systems may also alter the way medicolegal death investigations are conducted.

PMID:42192249 | DOI:10.1097/PAF.0000000000001144