This episode, hosts Mark Viner and Lindsay Batty-Smith sit down with Katherine Bryan-Merrett, a portrait and mural artist whose evocative work delves into grief, memory, and the emotional resonance of those we’ve lost. From posthumous portraits to coffin painting, Kat shares how art can become a vital, healing space for families navigating bereavement and the complexities of death.

Kat is working with Anubix Ltd and you can find out more about our collaboration at: https://www.anubix.co.uk/memorial-art-keepsakes

For more information about Anubix Ltd please check out: www.anubix.co.uk

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Katherine Bryan-Merrett is a portrait and mural artist at Kat and Owen Murals (www.katandowen.co.uk)

With over 20 years of experience as a professional artist. Her work spans memorial portraiture, landscape murals, and site-specific commissions, and is often inspired by people, the natural world, and the emotional connections between them.

A passionate collaborator, Kat has created artwork for clients ranging from The Prince’s Trust to football clubs and even a mortuary extension mural for a death dummy business. Her practice embraces vulnerability, memory, and storytelling—offering a unique, creative way to process loss and celebrate life through art.

This month, we present the following article:

Simon G, Tóth D, Heckmann V, Poór VS. The use of 3D-printed replicas of homicide weapons during autopsy.

International Journal of Legal Medicine. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-025-03691-z.

This case series explores how 3D-printed replicas of sharp and blunt weapons can be safely used during autopsy to reconstruct wound direction, force, and mechanism. Through real homicide cases, the authors show how this technique enhances injury interpretation, supports medico-legal conclusions, and improves courtroom communication without compromising evidence.

NB. Each episode is AI-generated using Google Notebook LM. The article(s) and sources are chosen by Drs. Susan Shelmerdine & Natasha Davendralingam based on quality of research, audience interest, and importance of the topic.

Global burden of 292 causes of death in 204 countries and territories and 660 subnational locations, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Lancet. 2025 Oct 18;406(10513):1811-1872.

This global analysis estimates cause-specific mortality for 292 causes across 204 countries (plus 660 subnational locations) from 1990–2023, adding two policy-useful metrics—probability of death before age 70 (70q0) and mean age at death. The study shows how much the world has changed in three decades: people are living longer, fewer children are dying, and many infectious diseases are now preventable. But it also warns that chronic illnesses, lifestyle factors, and inequality are now the biggest threats to health.

The authors call for stronger, more resilient health systems, ones that can handle both future pandemics and the rising tide of chronic disease, so that progress made in the last 30 years isn’t lost.

NB. Each episode is AI-generated using Google Notebook LM. The article(s) and sources are chosen by Drs. Susan Shelmerdine & Natasha Davendralingam based on quality of research, audience interest, and importance of the topic.

This episode, Anubix co-founders Dr Susie Shelmerdine and Dr Natasha Davendralingam talk about the Death Cafe - a place where people connect, and share their views, thoughts and experiences about death - an often taboo topic. We talk about the importance of open and frank conversation, how we welcome different perspectives and points of view and how to get involved in Death Cafe meet ups and other wellbeing offerings from Anubix Ltd.

If you'd like to find out more or join us for a Death Cafe gathering - please do check out: https://www.anubix.co.uk/anubix-wellbeing

Or email: info@anubix.co.uk for more information on other upcoming event.

This episode, Anubix co-founders Dr Susie Shelmerdine and Dr Natasha Davendralingam talk about a unique and innovative service - The After-Life Imaging Clinic. This is a place for the bereaved to talk to a radiologist about their relative / loved one's postmortem imaging, have someone explain what the cause of death means and ask the questions they've always wanted to ask but have no idea who to turn to.

If you'd like to find out more about the After Life Imaging Clinic please check out: https://www.anubix.co.uk/clinic

Or email: info@anubix.co.uk to discuss your personal situation.

Vanhaebost J, Scholzen T, Coche E, Grabherr S. Postmortem CT Angiography of Fetuses, Infants and Children up to 12 Years Old: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Decision Tree. International Journal of Legal Medicine. 2025. doi: 10.1007/s00414-025-03556-5.

This systematic review explores the current landscape of postmortem CT angiography (PMCTA) in young decedents, highlighting significant variability in technique and the absence of standardized protocols. A conceptual decision tree is proposed to guide practitioners in tailoring PMCTA based on age and anatomical considerations, with implications for improving forensic and clinical investigations.

NB. Each episode is AI-generated using Google Notebook LM. The article(s) and sources are chosen by Drs. Susan Shelmerdine & Natasha Davendralingam based on quality of research, audience interest, and importance of the topic.

This episode, hosts Mark Viner and Lindsay Batty-Smith explore the often-overlooked world of estate planning through the eyes of James Emsley, founder of ELM Legal Services. From his personal journey growing up in care to building a leading UK estate planning firm, Emsley offers candid insights into wills, probate, and why so many families fall into turmoil without clear legal preparation.

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Jim Emsley is the award-winning Founder of ELM Legal Services, a Bristol-based estate planning firm now celebrating its 25th year. With over 45,000 clients nationwide and generating more than £1 million annually, Jim has built ELM into a leading name in will-writing and probate, known for making estate planning clear, accessible, and stress-free for families across the UK.

This month, we present the following article:

Fragkou, K.; Ketsekioulafis, I.; Tousia, A.; Piagkou, M.; Bacopoulou, F.; Ferentinos, P.; Peyron, P.-A.; Baccino, E.; Martrille, L.; Papadodima, S. From Fragile Lives to Forensic Truth: Multimodal Forensic Approaches to Pediatric Homicide and Suspect Death. Diagnostics 2025, 15, 1383. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15111383

In this episode we delve into the complexities of investigating child homicides, where distinguishing between natural, accidental, and intentional deaths is particularly challenging. The review highlights how combining traditional autopsy with cutting-edge tools—like postmortem imaging, molecular autopsy, and toxicology—can improve diagnostic accuracy, guide legal outcomes, and help prevent future tragedies.

NB. Each episode is AI-generated using Google Notebook LM. The article(s) and sources are chosen by Drs. Susan Shelmerdine & Natasha Davendralingam based on quality of research, audience interest, and importance of the topic.