Making the Invisible Visible
DermaVision is developing DermaSpect, a portable multispectral imaging device that uses UV-A, visible, and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths to capture subsurface bruise information that may not be visible under standard lighting conditions. Our goal: improve consistency, objectivity, and equity in clinical and forensic imaging.
The Problem
Why This Matters
Bruise documentation plays an important role in both healthcare and forensic investigations, especially in cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and physical trauma. However, current bruise assessment methods still rely heavily on visual inspection and standard photography, which are subjective and inconsistent.
According to national statistics, over 10 million domestic violence cases occur annually in the United States, and approximately 44.2% of victims are people of color. Existing bruise detection and aging methods are often less accurate on highly pigmented skin because melanin absorbs much of the visible light spectrum and can mask underlying chromophores such as hemoglobin.
As a result, bruises are often less visible or entirely missed, and documented inconsistently. This can negatively impact medical treatment, injury tracking, forensic documentation, and legal evidence collection.